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Sixers rookie Markelle Fultz feels sorry for teams facing him and Ben Simmons

The rookie out of Washington thinks his pairing with Simmons will be "unpredictable."

Sixers guards Markelle Fultz (left) and Ben Simmons.
Sixers guards Markelle Fultz (left) and Ben Simmons.Read moreAP and Staff Photos

No one really knows what to expect from the 76ers backcourt of Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz. After all, both will be making their NBA debuts. Plus, both are point guards.

But Fultz offered an idea Tuesday after the Sixers' first training camp practice. The University of Washington product said he thinks the pairing will cause problems for opponents.

"It's unpredictable," he said. "I feel sorry for the teams that are going to have to go against that."

The first overall pick in June's NBA draft actually relishes it. He and Simmons shared point-guard duties throughout Tuesday's practice and could do the same this season.

In that scenario, he said, teams won't know what's going to happen.

"He's going to push it sometimes," Fultz said. " I'm going to push it. I get to run the floor. I get to set screens for him. He gets to set screens for me."

Simmons, the first overall pick in 2016, is making the transition from point forward to point guard. He missed last season after suffering a Jones fracture in his right foot on the final day of training camp.

However, the 6-foot-10, 230-pounder is more comfortable with the transition than at this time last year. He sees a lot more, knows where people should be on the floor, and get them into the right positions.

Simmons also realizes that he has to become a vocal leader.

"In terms of that, that just takes time," he said.

The most complete player in the draft, Fultz was the best option to pair with Simmons and center Joel Embiid. That's why the Sixers moved up two spots to No. 1 in a trade with the Boston Celtics to select him.

The 19-year-old hit 41.3 percent of his shots from the college three-point line. Finding a shooter with his three-point skill and the ability to play off the ball was a priority for the Sixers.

Now, the point guards are focused on building chemistry. As rookies, the first overall picks will have some rough moments on the court.

But based on what Fultz experienced, there's excitement with the pairing that could lead to confusion for opponents.