On Sunday night, the Philadelphia 76ers were missing Joel Embiid and they had to get creative with the center position. They went with Tony Bradley to start the game and Dwight Howard as the backup, but coach Doc Rivers decided to use another option at the 5 as well.
He went with Ben Simmons at the spot for a stretch in the second quarter and the results weren’t terrible. Normally, the Sixers don’t do well in those minutes where he has to play the 5, but they found a way to get it done and they stayed afloat in those minutes.
“It’s mainly just concepts and communication for me,” said Simmons. “Making sure on defense I’m able to help my guys if my man is setting the pick or whatever the situation is just being that big presence and trying to get every rebound I can even if guys are bigger than me down there. Just try to fill that spot until we get a big back in there.”
That is the uniqueness of Simmons and what he offers this team. He is a guy who can play multiple positions and he can also play them effectively. He continues to show why he is so important to whatever chances Philadelphia has to chase a title.
Philadelphia now has two days off before they get set to take on the Charlotte Hornets and during that time, Rivers wants to work on even more packages with Simmons at the 5. He liked what he saw on Sunday.
“I loved it, but we just aren’t organized, honestly,” said Rivers. “Dave Joerger, we’re literally going bonkers on the things we saw that we couldn’t literally do with him at the 5 and it’s too bad. We just haven’t had practice time. We get two days and in the fourth quarter, Dave grabbed me and he says ‘I don’t care what are we do in these two days of practice, we’re going with Ben and the 5 for at least 10 minutes’.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=fNlzkWk6Qb-1133146-7498&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json
[lawrence-related id=42004,42001,41997]