Each week, our resident basketball analysts will discuss some of the hottest topics involving the Sixers.
Running the Give and Go are Sixers Insider Jessica Camerato, CSNPhilly.com producer/reporters Matt Haughton and Paul Hudrick.
This week, we debate what Ben Simmons' stat line will look like in his rookie season.
Camerato
This season, I am projecting Simmons at a balanced 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists. These statistical categories are wide open on the Sixers and there are opportunities across the board. Jahlil Okafor led the team in scoring and rebounds last season, but there are still plenty of points and boards to be tallied.
Two of the Sixers' top-five leading scorers last season have signed elsewhere. Ish Smith, who ranked second (14.5 points), signed with the Pistons and Isaiah Canaan, who ranked fifth (11.0 points), is playing for the Bulls. Even though Simmons needs to develop his shot, he will be a focal point of the Sixers' offense and will be able to rack up points as one of the team’s top offensive contributors.
The Sixers are focusing on ramping up their defense. Last season, they finished last in the NBA with 41.2 rebounds per game (league-worst minus-6.4 differential). While there will be an increased presence in the frontcourt with Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, Simmons can be one of the leading rebounders. Take a look at last season. Nerlens Noel (8.1 rebounds) and Okafor (7.3 rebounds) were first and second on boards. Robert Covington, a wing player, still ranked third with 6.3 per game. Simmons will use his 6-foot-10 frame and athleticism to attack the rim and get out in run, which leads us to the next category.
The Sixers will be without 7.0 dimes from last season’s assist leader Smith, and T.J. McConnell (second with 4.5 assists) will have a reduced role. Simmons will begin the season at the forward position, and last week Brett Brown projected Jerryd Bayless as the starting point guard. That being said, Simmons will handle point-forward duties and could actually lead the team in assists. Back to the point about rebounds — Simmons will be starting the fast break often times, which puts the ball in his hands as the team gets out and runs. With court vision as one of his biggest strengths, he will be able to find his teammates for crafty lobs and open shots. This stat will fluctuate depending on the Sixers’ shot-making. Simmons can create for his teammates all game, but if they don’t knock down their buckets his assists could be lower.
NBA
See where these projections line up in comparison to last year’s rookie class:
Scoring (14 points projected)
1. Karl-Anthony Towns: 18.3 points
2. Jahlil Okafor: 17.5 points
3. Kristaps Porzingis: 14.3 points
4. Devin Booker: 13.8 points
Rebounds (8 rebounds projected)
1. Towns: 10.5 rebounds
2. Porzingis: 7.3 rebounds
3 (tie). Okafor/Nikola Jokic: 7.0 rebounds
Assists (6 assists projected)
1. Emmanuel Mudiay: 5.5 assists
2. T.J. McConnell: 4.5 assists
Haughton
Let's start with the scoring. Simmons is a natural playmaker and facilitator, so his point production won't be off the charts. It will all depend on how aggressive he is going to the basket each night to draw contact and get to the free throw line. With that said, I'll go with 14 points a game.
As mentioned above, Simmons is known for his ability to set up teammates. How much they convert is a different story. That could be the only thing that keeps the rookie from putting up double-digit assists marks. For that reason I'll say Simmons records seven dimes per game.
Rebounding is where I think Simmons will have the most trouble transitioning to the NBA. It's not that he doesn't possess the physical attributes to be a strong rebounder at the next level. However, playing with a slew of other big men and with all of the responsibilities he will have setting up the offense, hitting the glass could fall on the back burner for Simmons. So let's say five rebounds.
That would be 14 points, five rebounds and seven assists per game. Not once-in-a-lifetime numbers ... yet. But still certainly better than anything from an all-around standpoint the Sixers have had in the past few years.
Hudrick
Simmons' biggest issue will be his ability to score right away in the NBA. His shot is a work in progress and he's still learning how to use his big frame to finish at the rim. He'll be able to rebound and facilitate from opening night. You could see during his time at LSU and during summer league that those are just instinctual skills for the 6-foot-10 point-forward. The only factor for his assists could be the players around him, but I'm choosing to show faith in the most NBA-caliber roster the Sixers have assembled in quite some time.
I'd put Simmons' points per game at around 14, but I think he has the ability to average eight assists and eight rebounds in his first year. He'll be on triple-double watch from the opening tip of every game. I'd put the over/under at 3½.