PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers brought in Anfernee Simons early in free agency to bring in some sharpshooting and an instant offense ability to the bench unit. Through 12 games, things have been a bit up and down for him as he's averaging 9.7 points and shooting 39.1% from deep.
Simons has had stretches where he looks fantastic and other stretches where he has had trouble finding open looks or fitting into what coach Nick Nurse and Co. want to do on the offensive end of the floor. With that being said, it's 12 games into an 82-game marathon and Simons is continuing to do what needs to be done in order to fit in with this group and help push the team forward.
"I think it's going to be an adjustment," said Simons. "I think every type of
role I would play, depends on the game, I think it's going to be an adjustment for that. I think, like I said, we just got so many great players to do so many things. So I think for me, just being able to fit into that and doing whatever coach need me to do and adjusting on the slot of what that night entails me to be for the team."
To Simons' point, it does depend on what the Sixers need from him on a nightly basis. There are moments when they will need him to put up a ton of points, but there will be other nights when they'll ask him to handle the ball, run offense, and be something of a playmaker. Each game will dictate his role for Philadelphia.
"I think right now it is," Simons said. "Until we find the whole team finds a night to night of what each other expects, depending on who's going to line up and who's not, I think it's going to be like that."
Joel Embiid, a big supporter of Simons and what he brings to the Sixers, is in his corner as he wants the 9-year veteran to keep shooting the ball.
"He’s finding his way, but just got to be aggressive," Embiid said of Simons. "When he's on the court, we want him to be aggressive. We want him to shoot it every time he touches it. So yeah, just come in, make or miss, we got your back, and that's how we feel."
Joel Embiid on Anfernee Simons: “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.” #Sixers pic.twitter.com/U4VVdPSyXg
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) November 12, 2026
Embiid is somebody who wants to build that two-man game with Simons as he did with other shooters such as JJ Redick in the past. The big fella is a willing passer and can be something of a hub for this group offensively due to the attention teams continuously pays him. He and Simons can be a terrific duo for the Sixers on the offensive end. He wants Simons to keep shooting the ball.
"I mean, yeah, obviously, I push him as much as anybody, and I don't think I’ve really had the chance to be on the court with him to help him and play that two man game, which I was excited about," Embiid finished. "So, I feel like I could help him, but anytime I get the chance to be on the court, that's my goal. Not just him. Tyrese (Maxey), get those guys open so they can do what they do best."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Anfernee Simons talks comfort level with Sixers, Joel Embiid chimes in
