While the Ben Simmons cloud might hang over the heads of the Philadelphia 76ers, they have done a fine job of not letting the situation derail their training camp. Through four days on the floor, there are a lot of positive things to take away from the Sixers as they get ready for the upcoming regular season. Here are just a few of the main points that have come out of camp thus far.
No quiet competition for point guard
With Simmons nowhere in sight for the foreseeable future, Doc Rivers had to decide what to do at the point guard position. Some speculated that there might be a competition in camp to see who would take over as the team's fifth starter, but it looks like Rivers has other plans.
Tyrese Maxey has taken the reps with the starters since camp tipped off, an indication Rivers intends on handing the keys to the second-year player.
Shake Milton is a name that was in consideration to enter the starting lineup, but Rivers might feel he is best suited running the second unit. For what it's worth, he has complimented Milton throughout camp for the work he's done as lead initiatior with the reserves.
Things could change during the preseason or early weeks of the regular season, but it's safe to say Maxey will be getting the first crack at replacing Simmons as maestro of Philadelphia's offense.
New additions fitting in nicely
Milton isn't the only second-unit player having a good camp. Rivers has mentioned multiple times that his bench lineups are thriving, an encouraging sign considering those groups have two new pieces to integrate.
Georges Niang and Andre Drummond are smart players who understand why they were brought to the Sixers. This understanding of their role certainly is a factor in them fitting in, but it's still a positive sign the transition has been smooth. Niang said earlier this week that guys like Milton, Furkan Korkmaz, and Matisse Thybulle have made it incredibly easy for him to mesh within the lineup.
One drastic improvement the 76ers made last season was their culture. New players coming in and talking about how easy the fit has been is a testament to that extending into 2020-21, even amid the Simmons drama. The bench clicking together in camp should bode well for its ability to produce when the games get serious in two weeks.
Young players look ready to take a leap
With Simmons likely never taking the floor for the 76ers again, production will need to be found elsewhere. The team has adopted the right approach, taking a collective effort to fill the hole Simmons has left.
There will no doubt be growing pains, but if the Sixers are going to stay competitive, some of their younger players will need to take a step in their development. Luckily for Rivers, multiple young players have come to camp eager to take on more this season.
Players and coaches have raved about Thybulle during the early portion of camp. Rivers mentioned a change in his demeanor compared to last season, and Danny Green said he is a visibly more confident player.
Along with playing for team Australia in the Summer Olympics, Thybulle also spent time this offseason training with Tobias Harris. Clearly, his busy offseason is already paying dividends for the 24-year-old.
Paul Reed is another player Rivers has praised at times during training camp. He feels the reigning G-League MVP will be valuable this season and have an opportunity to earn more time on the floor.
While most will look for Embiid and Harris to carry the load until the Simmons situation is resolved, if some of the young players can take a step in their development, the 76ers can keep themselves in a position to contend in the Eastern Conference.
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