[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

 I’m all for Ben Simmons stepping up to be the leader of this team, because I think young generals conquered continents even as young as 14.  

Simmons appears to be the natural fit to lead on the 76ers.  He has the best vision and will be a facilitator (point guards traditionally lead), and Embiid is a little too goofy.  

I think Embiid will lead on the court with his ability to impact a game, and he will take pressure off the team and be a great influence.

I think Fultz is still very young and not a natural leader, he lets his game talk otherwise he is quiet, and it just makes sense that Simmons leads.

Simmons via social media has always set the basketball tone.  

I don’t think Embiid gives two craps about Simmons leading in the future because Embiid will get plenty of media attention his career.  He’ll probably want less of it with his injury history.

I am slightly worried about Simmons-Fultz.  Right now we know that they are friends.  But I’d like to see Simmons change his mentality towards Fultz.  Instead of comparing himself against all the rookies, he needs to go out of his way to praise Fultz right now as his teammate.

Something like "Fultz is extremely talented and its my job to make sure he gets the ball in the right situations when the ball is in my hand.  To be honest, we’re all overlooked.  This year I’m overlooked by other rookies coming in…Embiid played JV in 11th grade so there were always other "better" players than him, and Fultz is not getting tlaked about for ROY and was a JV baller in high school too.  People question all of us being drafted where we were, and we are all playing with chips on our shoulders, and we are ready to grind it out like its done in Philly".

I don’t get that vibe of confidence from Simmons and I don’t see him positively praising his teammates, as a leader, you want everyone on the same page.  Simmons might be a little too self conscious with his expectations and his brand development.  I think today’s NBA is very brand-development heavy.  These guys are definitely conscious of their brands.  You see them cautious to praise even their own teammates’ skillsets because it might not be good for their own business.  

I’m also worried about Reddick.  Reddick’s experiences and professionalism may lead these guys to look at it even more as a business, and take away their youthful desire to just ball, and force them to think even more about their own brands, rather than focus on just having fun and letting the cards play out and understand that they are all going to be ridiculously wealthy.

Simmons is very sensitive to criticism.  I saw two awkward questions for the Sixers in the press releases.  

Soemone asked Simmons if he worked on his jumpshot and he quickly shot out how he has improved "everything" in his game.  The guy only took 3 3-pointers in college so its a legitimate worry, how self-conscious is the man because you could sense a little tension when questions about his jumper have already started.

Someone asked Fultz if he’s working on a shoe deal with Nike.  He got a little nervous because he must know the attention that the Ball boy is getting and Fultz was obviously the #1 pick.

These young guys need to prioritize basketball to image and business.  Worry about business and brand development after you start winning please!

 

[brodiejayParticipant]

 What planet are you from, man?

[brodiejayParticipant]

To clarify, I agree that Simmons will organically become the leader of the Sixers.

Everything else you said was kinda strange, especially that…errrr…. Script? Role play?

It sounded like some kind of Twilight Fan Fiction for basketball.

Markelle catches Ben’s gaze as he looks across the court to where the confident, imposing Australian is giving an interview.  Markelle had never noticed (until that moment) just how much depth and vulnerability Ben’s almond-shaped eyes convey when he’s speaking on a subject he’s passionate about.

"To be honest, we’re all overlooked," Simmons says, in his relaxed Australian accent.

"Markelle is extremely talented and it’s my job to make sure he gets the ball in the right situations when the ball is in my hand."

When Ben mentions him by name, Markelle feels uncomfortable. He doesn’t know why. When Ben talks about balls in his hand, Markelle’s mind wanders. He remembers back to the first time he shook hands with Ben.  He remembers thinking just how BIG Ben’s hands were. His handshake was strong, firm, and confident, but his grip had a certain gentleness that Markelle had never noticed in a man’s touch before. It’s an unfamiliar feeling and it’s hard to put a label on it. He doesn’t know how Ben makes him feel, but he makes him feel something.

 

CHAPTER TWO-

TRUSTING THE PROCESS TO MY HEART

 

 As JJ calls the players into a meeting, Joel is being goofy again. JJ’s sharp, piercing eyes dart back and forth between Joel’s broad smile and the cell phone he waves so casually, so carelessly in his right hand.

"What is this shit, JoJo? Fucking Instagram!?" JJ hisses.

"Yeah bro, I’m trying to build my brand, man," Joel says in his Cameroonian accent that JJ noticed is becoming more and more Americanized.

"Well you’re going about it all fucking wrong, JoJo!"

"I’m sick of all your youthful desire, like nothing in the world matters except "Insta-beefing" with porn stars. This is a fucking business, man!"

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Hahaha Im dying right now!

[daggers818Participant]

 That’s the best out-loud laugh I’ve had in ages!  Thank you.  I’ve got a job for you in Hollywood as a writer.

[SlickBouncePassParticipant]

that was pretty impressive haha.

have you considered writing on bball "fantasy" forums?

Nah man the psychology of it does matter.  I’m thinking a few years ahead to the chemistry on this team.  The chemistry has to be optimal, just as do setup passes to the shooter.  It all has to flow.

Sports psychology.  Simmons-Fultz-Embiid must all get along.

Clearly for example in NYK when Philly played them you saw how Carmelo was disgusted that the last play was being drawn up for Porzingis.

We’ve got a lot of talent on Philly, gotta make sure they all mesh together.

 

 

 

 

  

[brodiejayParticipant]

Nah I’m just playing man.

I actually agree with your assessment of each of those guys. I’m Australian, so I’m really excited to see Simmons flourish. I agree that Simmons seems pretty conscious of how he’s percieved. I really liked seeing that short documentaty about him because he’s obviously very intelligent and articulate. What I especially liked was when he was being honest and open, which I hadn’t seen much of in his previous interviews. I think he models his public image on LeBron, as well as his game. By that, I mean he seems to often give the "perfect" answer, as opposed to the honest answer. Like LeBron, he knows how good he is (because he’s constantly told how good he is), which can sometimes come across as being a little arrogant.  By nature, Australian people are very self-effacing and any kind of self-importance is really looked down upon in our culture.  Very different to the individualised "me me" American culture that the rest of the world struggles with at times.

I was lucky enough to interview him when LSU came to Australia for exhibition games before his college season.  He was definitely being managed and had to give quick answers, then was rushed out of the stadium by minder-type people… and that was before he’d even played a college game.  Assistant Coach David Patrick on the other hand, spoke to me for ages and was really friendly, open, honest, and engaging.  He’s Ben Simmons’ godfather and he gave me (just a random Aussie amatuer writer, not a paid professional journalist) his card and told me to call him any time for interviews and info etc. Such a nice dude!

Anyway, I think Simmons is quiet by nature, just like Markelle, but they’ll both grow into natural leaders because of their talent and their likeable, calm demeanours. Some leaders are vocal like KG, Rasheed Wallace, Westbrook, etc… but I think there are many personality types that can make a good leader.  More naturally reserved guys like Durant, Rose, Duncan, Kahwi etc are still looked to for leadership, and I’d say Simmons is closer in personality to those guys.  He’s usually a man of few words, but when he does speak, people tend to listen.

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I would run Simmons/Embiid pick and rolls all day then make sure Fultz gets his shots/touches, too.  Fultz is basically the third guy, BUT a guy who has a green light to put it up from anywhere. Also a guy you go to for the last shot.

[brodiejayParticipant]

Agreed. Simmons/Embiid could be a nightmare for defenders. That fact will be even more apparent when you’ve got Fultz, Redick, Stauskas, Korkmaz, Saric etc playing off the ball to keep an eye on.  If oppositions crowd Simmons and Embiid, they’re both willing passers and now that the Sixers have viable shooters, defenses will need to be mindful of players that DON’T have the ball.

Can’t wait for the season to start!

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