Okafor, Embiid Possibilities

With Jahlil Okafor returning to practice, the 76ers got right back to experimenting with their frontcourt personnel.

During stretches of the five-on-five scrimmage that punctuated Monday’s workout, Brett Brown teamed the Duke product with fellow big man Joel Embiid.

Even though both players come by the center position naturally, Brown believes that joining the two together could create a productive outcome.

“I think offensively, it doesn’t take much thought,” Brown said Monday, following practice at the Sixers’ training complex. “You post it. You post it deep.”

But is the scenario really that straightforward? According to Brown, yes and no.

“It is that simple,” said Brown, “as far as getting the ball to where you want it to go, but the rest of it isn’t, because the NBA is so well coached.”

In the extremely early stages of their respective careers, Okafor, who played 53 games as a rookie last year, and Embiid, entering his first season, have separately shown flashes of potent potential. Okafor averaged 17.7 points per game in 2015-2016. Embiid, meanwhile, is generating 10.3 points in just 14.1 minutes per exhibition contest.

Despite Okafor’s and Embiid’s scoring prowess, Brown would expect opponents to challenge such a duo with a variety of double-team looks. As a result, “space” and “place” would be critical to the success of an Okafor-Embiid tandem, should the Sixers ultimately use it.

“That’s where we have to be really organized,” Brown said.

The defensive end of the court, Brown noted, is where pairing Okafor and Embiid could get tricky. Each has a traditional low-post skill set, and is more accustomed to anchoring himself in the lane, providing a last-line-of-defense presence.

If they were to play alongside one another, either Embiid or Okafor would have to defend the power forward spot, where personnel across the league is becoming increasingly athletic, quick, and dangerous from perimeter.

Transition defense, Brown said, would be an additional factor he would have to consider with Okafor and Embiid on the hardwood at the same time.

Regardless, Okafor and Embiid are ready and willing to give the combination a try.

“I think if we can figure it out, definitely we’ll be a force together,” said Okafor, adding that playing with Embiid Monday went “smooth.”

“Joel is so skilled, he can play with anybody. I’m going to do my part to make sure he’s comfortable on the floor.”

“I think us playing together, I’ve always thought that if you want to put the best defender on him, that leaves me open,” Embiid said. “Or, if you want to put a small defender on him, that leaves me open. We compliment each other pretty well.”

Embiid agreed with Brown’s view that defense is where the biggest adjustments would need to occur.

“It’s just a matter of getting in shape, keep up, and run the floor and guard every position,” said Embiid, who, like Okafor, is a former number three draft pick.

When it comes to coaching two talented low-post threats, Brown certainly has experience. David Robinson and Tim Duncan were on San Antonio’s roster during Brown’s first two seasons as an assistant with the Spurs.

“I’m not even going to go there,” said Brown with a smile, when asked to compare the Robinson-Duncan dynamic to that of Okafor and Embiid. The head coach had no interest in being on the hook for such a lofty projection.

“I’m just going to say I like what I see, and I’ve had the privilege of coaching bigs before. What I feel most comfortable is answers, how to put them and their teammates in spots. I’ve done this for a decade. I feel very confident about coaching those two.”

Expecting Okafor and Embiid to be placed on playing time limits at the outset of the season, Brown does not plan to utilize the two together to start games. Finishing games, however, could be a different story.

“I only have a little tiny budget, and to just spend it all in the first row of the grocery store in a real game isn’t smart,” said Brown. “I hope when we have real minutes to play with that you can do it more.

“Might we end games like that? It’s all on the table. When you talk about who are your best scorers, it’s those two.”

Right now, all parties seem and sound genuinely committed to making the situation work.

Simmons Rehab Underway

For the first time since fracturing his right foot, Ben Simmons updated his Instagram account, posting the following optimistic message Sunday:

Turning a negative into a positive is never easy, thanks to everyone for the support and love. Looking forward to coming back stronger and better. #Throwback #ImWorkingtoGetbackHere #GrindNeverStops #PhiladelphiaStrong A photo posted by Ben Simmons (@bensimmons) on Oct 16, 2016 at 1:33pm PDT Monday, Brett Brown informed reporters that Simmons is now in a walking boot, and has started checking back into the Sixers’ training complex to begin his rehab. The “three-pronged” program, “holistic” in design, focuses on the education, health, and shot development of this year’s number one pick. “There’s a portion that is education, where we’ll sit and show him different things on tape, and educate him in the league,” explained Brown. “It’s classroom stuff.

“There’s stuff that he’s going to be going overboard in that [training complex] health club area - wet area, dry area, lifting.

“And then there’s stuff where he’ll sit in a chair, and get his elbow under the ball, until he can actually stand, where we have a chance to help grow his shot.”

Simmons injured his foot on September 30th, towards the end of the Sixers’ final training camp practice.

Brown Eager for Coaches Clinic

Tuesday night, Brett Brown will host the 2nd Annual Sixers Coaches Clinic from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Sixers training complex in Camden.

“I really enjoy it,” Brown said on the October 17th edition of The BroadCast. “Any time you get in a gym with other coaches, you can just talk basketball. I’ve done it my whole life. To be able to have people come here, and really look at our new facility, and be able to do a clinic, I hope it’s two parts of a really enjoyable night.”

The complete interview with Brown, in which he discusses the event, as well as his coaching influences and perspective, can be found below:

Tuesday’s clinic is open, free of charge, for basketball coaches of all competition and experience levels. Additional details, as well as registration information, can be found by clicking here.