Despite drafting rookie point guard Markelle Fultz with the first overall selection in the draft, the Philadelphia 76ers don't quite intend to use him at his position of choice, but rather forward Ben Simmons, who sat out the entire season with a foot injury.
“Coach (Brett Brown) wants to start me at the point,” Simmons told ESPN's Warren Barnsley. “But once we get into the flow of things, whoever gets the rebound, we're just going. I think we'll be a quick-paced team.”
The Sixers seemed destined to a run-and-gun style of play due to the exuberant youth they've accumulated through the draft, but to have Simmons run the point would in ways facilitate Fultz's innate scoring ability without putting the 6-foot-10 forward in a position to take desperate shots.
Fultz is bound to have opportunities to display his point guard skills, but the team will need him to get buckets while Simmons steps into a hybrid position that can find open shooters like new addition J.J. Redick.
“We have a great, young team and guys who are willing to put in the work,” Simmons said. “I think the sky's the limit. Our goal is to win.”
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