CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers went through the preseason without the services of new addition Anfernee Simons who was sidelined due to a hamstring issue. The Sixers will be looking to welcome him back into the fold on Tuesday in the season opener depending on his recovery.
With that being said, Simons is a smart basketball player who knows how to put the ball in the basket and make things happen off the bench. The Sixers had some bad turnovers in the preseason, but as Simons sat and observed from the sidelines, he was able to diagnose those turnover issues, and figure out how he can fit with this group.
"Just unselfishness," Simons stated. "A lot of the turnovers we had were unselfish turnovers. That’s a great sign, knowing that you can encourage your players that are regarded as high-level players to be unselfish and require them to play their game a little bit more. So, I think that was encouraging. Obviously, just finding, by observing, watching to see where I can fit in."
A big observation is how Simons can fit with rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr. The two of them are offensive-minded guards who can make things happen on that end in terms of scoring and getting the Sixers into their sets as ball-handlers. In today's NBA, ball-handling, perimeter shooting, depth, and versatility reign supreme and Simons is looking forward to providing that next to the young Philon.
"Both of us can play on-ball and off-ball," Simons stated on his minutes with Philon. "I think that’s what’s going to help both of us. If LP’s running the point for a long time and he needs a break, I’m ready to step in and be able to run offense a little bit and get us in the right sets. So just being able to have two ball-handlers out there is always great, especially nowadays where guys are picking up full each and every possession. It’s good to have two ball-handlers."
The Sixers will begin their quest for a championship on Tuesday when they take on the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. EDT.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Anfernee Simons gives preseason observations of Sixers while sidelined