Bryan Colangelo recap from 97.5 interview

[freshie2]

Don't worry about current fit, find the star.

[Unbreakable99]

You don't pass on Simmons because Saric is coming over. We are getting to levels of asinine. Saric is not close to the level of prospect Simmons is. People just need to accept the fate that Simmons will be drafted by the Sixers whether Saric comes over or not. Simmons baby.

You pass on Simmons because you build around JoJo, not specifically because of Saric. You can especially afford to pass on Simmons because Ingram is a more complete player and will run the PNR better with other bigs. In fact, Saric will run the PNR better than Simmons too because he has a jump shot.

This.

You have to build a small ball team with Simmons. Then if you make him the main guy out of your small ball team, then you better hope he's right there with GOAT level players like Curry, KD, Westbrook and LeBron or else you won't be able to match-up the fire

Ingram is not just the low risk high upside guy, he's also a great fit with what we currently have.

Huh? This makes no sense. We can't have a small ball team when we have Embiid.

[76ciology]

You pass on Simmons because you build around JoJo, not specifically because of Saric. You can especially afford to pass on Simmons because Ingram is a more complete player and will run the PNR better with other bigs. In fact, Saric will run the PNR better than Simmons too because he has a jump shot.

This.

You have to build a small ball team with Simmons. Then if you make him the main guy out of your small ball team, then you better hope he's right there with GOAT level players like Curry, KD, Westbrook and LeBron or else you won't be able to match-up the fire

Ingram is not just the low risk high upside guy, he's also a great fit with what we currently have.

Huh? This makes no sense. We can't have a small ball team when we have Embiid.

Simmons = small ball = no embiid

Small ball teams with Curry/KD/LBJ >> Smallball with Simmons

[Unbreakable99]

This.

You have to build a small ball team with Simmons. Then if you make him the main guy out of your small ball team, then you better hope he's right there with GOAT level players like Curry, KD, Westbrook and LeBron or else you won't be able to match-up the fire

Ingram is not just the low risk high upside guy, he's also a great fit with what we currently have.

Huh? This makes no sense. We can't have a small ball team when we have Embiid.

Simmons = small ball = no embiid

Small ball teams with Curry/KD/LBJ >> Smallball with Simmons

But we have Embiid. I'm not following you. Again we won't be a small ball team on the simple fact of having Embiid.

[PhilasFinest]

Yea I don't get the whole "small ball" BS.

Simmons could play with another big, especially if that big can step out and knock down an open shot. Embiid possesses that skill set on top of being a legitimate post up threat as well.

How are you forced to play small with Simmons? Simmons himself is 6'10. He's not small

Simmons allows you to play multiple styles. You could go big with him, around him or play somewhat small with him at the 5 a times and really push the pace.

[PhilasFinest]

Huh? This makes no sense. We can't have a small ball team when we have Embiid.

Simmons = small ball = no embiid

Small ball teams with Curry/KD/LBJ >> Smallball with Simmons

But we have Embiid. I'm not following you. Again we won't be a small ball team on the simple fact of having Embiid.

We wont be a small ball team with the simple fact that Simmons is 6'10. Him on the floor alone makes 1/2 of your front court BIG.

[Unbreakable99]

Simmons = small ball = no embiid

Small ball teams with Curry/KD/LBJ >> Smallball with Simmons

But we have Embiid. I'm not following you. Again we won't be a small ball team on the simple fact of having Embiid.

We wont be a small ball team with the simple fact that Simmons is 6'10. Him on the floor alone makes 1/2 of your front court BIG.

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

[USWAY]

The problem with all of these discussions is that Ingram is being presented as some alpha scorer. He's not, he's just a lanky shooter. His finishing rate at the rim this year at Duke was identical to T.J. McConnell's during his rookie campaign. A pathetic 58%.

Clunky athlete
Average handle
Doesn't have a distributing aptitude
Can't defend
Can't finish.

Brandon Ingram is incredibly overrated.

You have got to be kidding me with this.

And what is with this Ingram can't defend nonsense that's starting all of a sudden? Dude was a great defender on a team full of terrible ones in one of the toughest confrences in the nation last year. I really am coming around on Simmons being the pick, but it's like people didn't even watch games last year.

You saw clunky, but I saw an awkward looking kid still growing into his 6-9.5 frame that was just 6-2 at the end of his freshman year. You say average handle but I saw a smooth looking handle at this stage, especially for a guy that size. You say can't finish, but I saw a guy with a plethora of great moves to the basket that well, he didn't finish, but its so obvious that all he needed was some extra weight to throw around. I haven't seen people struggle to put on weight in a while. They said it about KD, they said it about Anthony Davis, they said it about Giannis.


I wish I watched more of Simmons, but I don't watch the SEC as much as I do the ACC. The handful of games I did watch the talent was there, but I didn't see sure fire #1 pick. And obviously the shooting stuff is an issue, but I just never saw that "take over a game" from him. I'm sure he had games like that though. Like I said, didn't see them all. Saw that alot from Ingram to the point that he was that guy for Duke even over Grayson Allen by the end of the year.

My thing is though is that if Embiid is healthy, Simmons and him would be an awesome pairing. So I'll be happy either way.

[76ciology]

But we have Embiid. I'm not following you. Again we won't be a small ball team on the simple fact of having Embiid.

We wont be a small ball team with the simple fact that Simmons is 6'10. Him on the floor alone makes 1/2 of your front court BIG.

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent.

[76ciology]

But we have Embiid. I'm not following you. Again we won't be a small ball team on the simple fact of having Embiid.

We wont be a small ball team with the simple fact that Simmons is 6'10. Him on the floor alone makes 1/2 of your front court BIG.

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent. It's small ball because he will eventually need a stretch 4 than embiid.

[Unbreakable99]

We wont be a small ball team with the simple fact that Simmons is 6'10. Him on the floor alone makes 1/2 of your front court BIG.

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent.

Ok. So please explain how we would be playing small ball when we have a 7'2 giant in Embiid in the middle? Your logic is flawed.

[Unbreakable99]

We wont be a small ball team with the simple fact that Simmons is 6'10. Him on the floor alone makes 1/2 of your front court BIG.

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent. It's small ball because he will eventually need a stretch 4 than embiid.

This really makes no sense. Are you saying the Sixers would trade Embiid or Embiid would be stating on the bench for long stretches? And Saric could be that stretch 4. You're all over the place.

[76ciology]

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent.

Ok. So please explain how we would be playing small ball when we have a 7'2 giant in Embiid in the middle? Your logic is flawed.

It can't. That's why I don't think Biid/Simmons is a good pairing. Small ball requires a stretch 4 and a situational rim protector C. It will just clog the paint similar to how Shaq did with the Suns.

KD needs Ibaka
LBJ needs bosh and Love
Curry needs Draymond

The centers on those teams played a small role.

You also have to consider the pace. Simmons gets a big chunk of his points out of transition. I don't know if playing a frantic pace would suit Embiid.

Yes, maybe Simmons-Saric and Noel. That kind of frontcourt. Then you opt for a 3&D wing, Simmons and Saric rotation as a premium.

[PhilasFinest]

We wont be a small ball team with the simple fact that Simmons is 6'10. Him on the floor alone makes 1/2 of your front court BIG.

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent. It's small ball because he will eventually need a stretch 4 than embiid.

While none has been in game action, Embiid has shown range all the way out to the NBA 3 point line. Im not saying he's going to be a stretch 5, but If you have him on the floor, you have to account for him outside of the paint.

Embiid hypothetically is also ideally paired with a stretch 4 at times, so you could have Simmons on the floor with Embiid paired with 3 shooters. Whether its a "stretch 4" or a wing, Simmons' size actually allows you to get a little more creative because you don't necessarily need a classic 4 or even a classic 1.

Simmons with the ball in his hands working a high PNR with Embiid could be devastating.
You have to account for Simmons' ability to take it to the basket.
You have to account for Embiid both rolling and popping out.
You have to worry about Simmons' passing, whether it be to Embiid or to an open shooter on the floor.

Add in the threat of even an slightly improved jump shot and it could be an absolute nightmare to defend.

You could also put Simmons inside where his finishing ability and rebounding become an asset. So you could even down the road have another scorer (think a Wade/Kyrie like combo guard)actually take over at times.

Simmons' versatility allows you to really adapt and play multiple ways...which a plus IMO.

[James40]

Simmons would have to play the 5 for a small ball lineup, he's athletic enough to run up and down the court in transition but who else do the Sixers have, Grant and Holmes, athletes yes shooters no.
As a matter of fact, the Sixers don't have one shooter who gets respect in the NBA, so that's another reason if they draft Simmons, "small ball" won't be played.

Now if Saric is as good as fans here say he is, Simmons and him can pass the ball around in the half court all night until Embiid gets open, Saric or Cov gets an open jumper, or Simmons drives to the hoop, pick and roll, or pick your poison, Grant goes in at the 3 or the two ( for Cov) on defense when needed. Obviously they still need a 3&D guy and no, they don't grow on trees regardless of what's said on realgm on a daily basis, but scoring won't be an issue with that lineup, especially when Okafor comes in for Embiid, or Saric, and Embiid moves to the 4.

If Embiid is hurt you can still run it with Okafor, Saric, and Simmons but they'll need a few good defenders if and when that happens, like a Grant and a wing who's priority is defense, not scoring.

I just think both guys Ingram and Simmons give you lots of options, the Sixers won't be limited with either one.

[76ciology]

And also that having a 6'10 player at PF is not small ball. That's a very weird way of looking at small ball lol. Yeah having a 6'10 PF is small ball? Um no. If anything it's bigger ball because he can play point at times or SF in spurts. So we will be even bigger with Simmons as a PG or SF. Simmons is a positionless player. You can't really label him. But he's 6'10 so no matter where he is playing there is nothing small about him.

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent. It's small ball because he will eventually need a stretch 4 than embiid.

This really makes no sense. Are you saying the Sixers would trade Embiid or Embiid would be stating on the bench for long stretches? And Saric could be that stretch 4. You're all over the place.

Pace and Spacing, that's the theme with small ball. Size is how most teams were able to achieve it with generally smaller players being better shooters and faster.

Yes, I do think you will have to trade Embiid. Yes, I think you need to play a fast pace with Simmons.

[PhilasFinest]

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent.

Ok. So please explain how we would be playing small ball when we have a 7'2 giant in Embiid in the middle? Your logic is flawed.

It can't. That's why I don't think Biid/Simmons is a good pairing. Small ball requires a stretch 4 and a situational rim protector C. It will just clog the paint similar to how Shaq did with the Suns.

KD needs Ibaka
LBJ needs bosh and Love
Curry needs Draymond

The centers on those teams played a small role.

You also have to consider the pace. Simmons gets a big chunk of his points out of transition. I don't know if playing a frantic pace would suit Embiid.

Yes, maybe Simmons-Saric and Noel. That kind of frontcourt. Then you opt for a 3&D wing, Simmons and Saric rotation as a premium.

I fail to see how Embiid can't be a 7'2" better version of Ibaka on offense.

He's a similar level athlete. He's a superior offensive player with comparable range and figures to be as good a rebounder as well.

[76ciology]

Ok. So please explain how we would be playing small ball when we have a 7'2 giant in Embiid in the middle? Your logic is flawed.

It can't. That's why I don't think Biid/Simmons is a good pairing. Small ball requires a stretch 4 and a situational rim protector C. It will just clog the paint similar to how Shaq did with the Suns.

KD needs Ibaka
LBJ needs bosh and Love
Curry needs Draymond

The centers on those teams played a small role.

You also have to consider the pace. Simmons gets a big chunk of his points out of transition. I don't know if playing a frantic pace would suit Embiid.

Yes, maybe Simmons-Saric and Noel. That kind of frontcourt. Then you opt for a 3&D wing, Simmons and Saric rotation as a premium.

I fail to see how Embiid can't be a 7'2" better version of Ibaka on offense.

He's a similar level athlete. He's a superior offensive player with comparable range and figures to be as good a rebounder as well.

Well yeah, if he can play at that space like the 6'9 ibaka then it might work.

[Ericb5]

I'm not referring to size. I'm referring to type of play. Simmons is more of LBJ than Kawhi/Durant. Simmons needs to play as primary option ballhandler/scorer at the perimeter to maximize his talent.

Ok. So please explain how we would be playing small ball when we have a 7'2 giant in Embiid in the middle? Your logic is flawed.

It can't. That's why I don't think Biid/Simmons is a good pairing. Small ball requires a stretch 4 and a situational rim protector C. It will just clog the paint similar to how Shaq did with the Suns.

KD needs Ibaka
LBJ needs bosh and Love
Curry needs Draymond

The centers on those teams played a small role.

You also have to consider the pace. Simmons gets a big chunk of his points out of transition. I don't know if playing a frantic pace would suit Embiid.

Yes, maybe Simmons-Saric and Noel. That kind of frontcourt. Then you opt for a 3&D wing, Simmons and Saric rotation as a premium.

You are observing teams where centers had a small role and then saying that that is why they succeeded.

The 2000-2002 Lakers, or the 93-95 Rockets would be some of the top teams in the league today, and they had big center based teams.

The answer to the Simmons and Embiid question with regard to pace and style is that you play a hybrid. You run and gun when you can, and you execute in the half court when need to. The show time Lakers were up and down the floor, but they threw it in to Kareem in the half court.

The only reason to say that Simmons couldn't play Magic's role(wouldn't have to be as good as magic to be a superstar) would be that he wasn't good enough, and not because of any style.

If Embiid is healthy and as good as he should be then he will bend the league towards him regardless of style, and Simmons will be a great counterpart.

[marcush]

Small ball, big ball, who cares about the label, they will play a pretty high pace. Simmons, Embiid and 3 shooters are going to run spread pnr until the other team breaks. Gon be a lot of free throws and 3s.