When Ben Simmons is on the court without Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers are going to play fast. It doesn’t matter which backup center, Amir Johnson or Mike Muscala, is in the game. That philosophy peaks when Simmons is surrounded by shooters. While Johnson was the backup 5-man last season and will continue to hold down that gig, Muscala, a career 37.8 three-point shooter, is the more lethal bomber, which should open the door for some minutes.
But Simmons is truly at his best when he’s engulfed by players who blend shooting with secondary creation skills. It’s why Markelle Fultz is the key to a more dynamic Simmons this season.