Joel Embiid Knows Exactly How 76ers' Bench Star Can Find Success

For all the commotion regarding the bench play for the Philadelphia 76ers, the players haven’t lost hope in what they can produce. One player that has the potential to uplift this bench is Anfernee Simons.

Truthfully, he has been the lone bright spot, specifically in the scoring department, and that’s been their big Achilles heel. His confidence to shoot from anywhere on the court is embraced by his teammates. One in particular who implores that he continue taking those shots is Joel Embiid.

Embiid talked about Simons' impact on the court before their matchup against the Toronto Raptors and detailed how Simons, when he's at his best, can change the tide of the game. One thing Embiid emphasized for Simons is that he has to continue to be aggressive. 

“He’s finding his way but just got to be aggressive. When he's on the court, we want him to be aggressive. We want him to shoot it every time he touches it," said Embiid.

And the all-star center is absolutely right. This team has been reeling when they have to look to their bench to put the ball in the basket. As a defensive unit, they're one of the best, but when it comes to contributing offensively, they just seem out of sorts. That’s why it’s imperative that Simons gets the hot hand going as quickly as possible. Simon was once a perennial scorer during his time with the Portland Trailblazers and had everything. He could score, defend, and even be a willing passer if need be. 

That’s the player that the 76ers need. Yes, the scoring is the top priority, but he could also be a player that can get everyone else involved. His shooting could be the key to all of it. Simons is only averaging 9.6 points a game, but mostly all of his scoring is coming from beyond the arc. While it sounds like a one-dimensional player, it’s actually a good thing. If Simons is nailing his three when he’s called upon, that could potentially mean getting double teamed or at least making the defense respect your shot. This is one of those things that could benefit the team. 

It’s the reason why Embiid was so emphatic that Simons doesn’t lose that brash sense of confidence. Simons is their sixth man, so that means he has to be the one to get things going.

When this team has everyone working in sync, they are tough to beat, but it’s important for the role players to do their part, and if Simons can continue to shoot like many know he can, there’s a great chance that he becomes the bench’s leader in the scoring.