Choosing the Era: Ben Simmons
As the NBA hiatus continues, many fans have resorted to watching old NBA highlights.
From ESPN’s The Last Dance to that random game in the 1990s on NBA TV, everyone is getting their NBA-fix from past classics.
Every era of NBA basketball is different. Whether it be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominating the 70’s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson‘s epic battles in the 80s, or Michael Jordan ruling the 90s, each generation has its key characteristics that define its winners. Playstyles, on-court philosophies, and off the court personalities have evolved greatly over the NBA’s nearly 75-year history.
The Sixers have an eclectic mix of talented players, who to this point, have not seemed to gel. They have a star who refuses to shoot outside of 15 feet, a big man who possesses guard-like touch, and a supporting cast that does not conform to today’s run and gun NBA philosophy. Yet, each and everyone is more than enjoyable to watch at their best.
And when watching old tape of the classic NBA superstars, it became apparent that just about every Sixers starter may have fit better in a different era. Elton Brand built this team on size, a traditional, yet seemingly outdated concept. Could it still work? Maybe. Time will tell.
For now, starting this week with guard Ben Simmons, I am going to decide in what era of NBA basketball each Sixers starter would have fit best.
Era: Early 1980s
When fans think of the 1980s NBA basketball, the first thing that comes to mind is Celtics versus Lakers. These two teams squared off in three NBA Finals series in the 1980s and their two-star players, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were arguably the greatest players of all-time at the time.
But basketball as a whole was much different during this decade. Pat Riley and the Lakers played a physical, transition focused brand of basketball that was centered around Magic Johnson getting to the basket and dishing to his teammates. The Lakers consistently ranked in the top ten in the NBA in pace during this era and during their 1987 Championship season, they led the league in offensive rating.
During this same season, the Lakers took just 447 three-pointers, yet, that was good for seventh-most in the entire NBA. In comparison, the Sixers, through just 65 games this season, rank 22nd in the NBA with 2052 threes taken.
Offenses relied more on mid-range and transition scoring. Dunks were aplenty during this generation and creative offensive sets helped drive offenses, not long and quick three-pointers.
Era Player Comparison: Magic Johnson
Yes, this comparison has been made many times, but it is about as accurate of a player comparison as one can find.
First of all, Simmons would fit seamlessly into this era of basketball. Defense and playmaking were at an all-time premium and maybe more than any other era, team basketball was valued. Simmons tries to put his teammates in advantageous positions while allowing them to actually put the ball in the hoop. And that is exactly what Magic Johnson did.
Magic averaged less than .7 three-point attempts per game for the first eight years of his career, and every one of those years, he boasted a field goal percentage of over 52%. This was because he was relying on dunks, crafty layups, and mid-range hook shots to generate offense.
Granted, Simmons has shot even fewer threes than Johnson, but his field goal percentages are very comparable, and his skill set is nearly identical. Magic Johnson made his living off of interior scoring and is one of the most skilled and creative passers in NBA history. And that is exactly what Ben Simmons does.
Johnson consistently led the NBA in assists thanks to his incredible vision and confidence to try any type of pass. Simmons has also been near the top of the NBA assist rankings over his three NBA seasons and he too has certain creativity that few players in history have had.
Magic Johnson and Ben Simmons Comparisons
When watching the comparison video above, one can see the glaring similarities in how Simmons and Magic finish at the rim. Then, one can see how their incredible ball-handling skills and large hands enable them to fit perfect passes into the tightest of windows. They both have essential, unwavering confidence that any type of pass they throw has a chance of reaching its destination.
Unfortunately for Simmons, the game has changed. Floor spacing is essential. Players do not crowd the paint and play within 15 feet of the basket at all times. This comparison is merely based on skillset.
In order to be remembered as a legend like Magic Johnson, Simmons needs to incorporate these Magic Johnson elements, while also embracing the current NBA landscape.
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