Day 1 of 76ers training camp just wrapped, and assistant Phil Handy’s work with veteran guard Anfernee Simons tells you everything about head coach Nick Nurse’s plan for this season. At the Penn Medicine Training Complex, after most players left, Handy worked with Simons, fine-tuning his shooting mechanics. Handy, a legend in player development, wanted Simons “short and quick” with his shots, demonstrating with his hands and feet, and the ensuing shots came in rapid succession, smoother than ever.
Anfernee Simons’ New Speed and Why It Matters
Simons, 27, is being molded for one purpose: maximum efficiency in catch-and-shoot opportunities. He’s going to share the floor with guys like Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and LeBron James, which means he’ll need to be super rapid with his decision-making. That’s how you maximize the gravity these All-NBA talents create. It’s not about Simons alone; his role unlocks a bigger theme for the whole squad. For the 76ers to hit their lofty goals, they need a totally improved version of themselves, not just a flashy new roster. It’s all about Nurse’s tactical setup.
Nurse’s ‘Experiment’ After Last Season’s Letdown
Coach Nurse told reporters on Tuesday that he has an idea for what everyone’s role should be, “even bullet points underneath.” But he wants to “see the group for a couple weeks” before he narrows it down. He’s looking to “collaborate with each player” because they “need to clearly define roles for everybody.” Last season was a letdown by most metrics: 26th in effective field goal percentage, 21st in true shooting, 23rd in 3-point rate, and a dismal 28th in assist rate. With nearly 80% of their possessions against a set defense, fixing half-court issues is non-negotiable. It’s rare to see an offseason add two talents like James and Brown, especially from a pure mental standpoint. Their ability to process real-time defensive happenings and manufacture quality looks is arguably more important than anything else this team does this season. Nurse thinks this will help: “I think a lot of things will help the efficiency,” he said. “I think we’ll have a little bit better pace. Passing , I think these guys are a little bit bigger and have better vision. And obviously they can score too. That helps.”
Fixing the High-Leverage Crunch
The 76ers were near the top in possessions directly affecting final game outcomes, yet they ranked just outside the bottom 10 in offensive rating during those high-leverage minutes. That’s why their offseason was so critical. Adding floor spacers like Simons, Dean Wade, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gives them the release valves needed to punish aggressive man-to-man schemes pressuring Maxey, James, and Brown, and even those daring to mix in zone coverages. Nurse knows they generated shots, but the percentages weren’t there: “A couple of our metrics would [show] we did really well at generating the shots, but then the percentages… show we’re getting a lot of shots we wanted to get. So hopefully, we have a few more shot makers.”
This isn’t just about throwing stars together. It’s about a deep tactical re-think for a team that desperately needs to fix its efficiency problems. Can Nurse get these guys on the same page and clearly define everyone’s job before the real games start? That’s the million-dollar question after Day 1.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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