Sixers are worse without Embiid (duh) but wait there's more

[GeorgeMarcus]

New season, same old story... 21-10 (56-win pace) with Embiid and 4-6 (33-win pace) without Embiid. I could use this as more material to prop up my lord and savior, but I'm gonna take a different route this time: Brett Brown has got to go.

If Scott freaking Brooks can trot out the G League Wizards and look competitive, there should be no reason Brown can't salvage mediocrity (at a minimum) with Simmons/J Rich/Tobias/Horford. This isn't a new phenomenon or reactionary take. It was the same story last year going 8-10 with Simmons/Redick/Butler/Tobias.

Even when Embiid plays, we're consistently awful out of timeouts and have no sense of structure within the offense. How can we not blame the coach knowing all that we know? I like the guy- I really do- but enough is enough. He had to know his ass was on the line when the Sixers committed to win-now mode. My only worry is that his rapport with the FO will cloud their judgement and prevent them from making the right decision.

To answer the question that will inevitably arise: yes, I'm willing to gamble on an unproven coach in the event of a Brown firing. I get that it's slim pickens right now when it comes to known commodities, but it's better to take a risk on someone new than cling to a losing formula.

[dorkestra]

I like Brett as person but I agree. I'm not sure it's working out. As a tactician he is lacking.

[PhilBlackson]

Fire Brown, trade Simmons for a legit 2nd scoring option that can also space the floor and PHI will be deadly.

[ken6199]

Part of it is Brown, part of it is how the team is constructed and that's on their GM. I thought with Embiid out Horford could at least be playing more freely (or happier), that wasn't the case. Also, is it so freaking hard for Brown to ask Simmons to shoot a damn three? Even Dwight is shooting it these days.

I saw a sequence the other day - 2 seconds left in the first half, Philly inbounded the ball to Simmons who kind of half ass asked for it, he dribbled all the way past mid court, 1 second left, he passed it to Mike Scott who air balled the 3. I was so lost in that play.

There is something about their away form too. It's mid season now, and their best away game is a 6 point win in Boston. Brown can not get them going away from home, no excuse.

[Tomjas]

Their shooting has been abysmal away from home

Today was 18% from 3

[NBAFan93]

They need to make some changes. The trade deadline is important for their title hopes - I hope they are working on some deals.

[GeorgeMarcus]

Their shooting has been abysmal away from home

Today was 18% from 3

That might seem like something Brown has no control over, but 3pt% speaks volumes about the flow of the offense. Get this:

Tobias shot 43.4% from 3pt over 55 games for the Clippers last year, and 41.1% the previous year for DET/LAC combined. This is a guy who averaged 5.3 attempts during that 1 1/2 season stretch. I remember Tobi talking about how excited he was to demonstrate his improved 3pt touch before the 17-18 season. In 67 games for the Sixers however, he's shooting 33.9% on the same volume. It's not like he's drawing doubles on the perimeter, so what the hell is going on here?

I'll keep going...

- Mike Scott hit 40.0% for the Wizards and Clippers before arriving in Philly; since then he's down to 37.0%.
- Horford averaged 37.1% for the Hawks/Celtics after adding the 3pt dimension to his game in 15-16; he's shooting 34.0% so far for the Sixers.
- Richardson shot 36.8% throughout his career for Miami; he's averaging 34.1% in the City of Brotherly Love.

And that was our starting lineup tonight, besides Ben who can't hurt team 3pt% without actually taking any In theory Ben's inward gravity should open up the perimeter for his teammates (as should Embiid's when healthy). Instead, what I believe we're seeing are the fruits of a poorly designed and/or poorly implemented scheme. If true that falls on Brown.

[GeorgeMarcus]

Part of is is Brow, part of it is how the team is constructed and that's on their GM. I thought with Embiid out Horford could at least be playing more freely (or happier), that wasn't the case. Also, is it so freaking hard for Brown to ask Simmons to shoot a damn three? Even Dwight is shooting it these days.

I saw a sequence the other day - 2 seconds left in the first half, Philly inbounded the ball to Simmons who kind of half ass asked for it, he dribbled all the way past mid court, 1 second left, he passed it to Mike Scott who air balled the 3. I was so lost in that play.

There is something about their away form too. It's mid season now, and their best away game is a 6 point win in Boston. Brown can not get them going away from home, no excuse.

Yeah I mean, it's BB's responsibility to change Ben's approach if Ben refuses to change on his own. I don't care if he has to pull a Gene Hackman in the Hoosiers and play 4 men until Ben gets it through his head. Whatever it takes to right the ship and hold players accountable.

[tmorgan]

Yup, pretty sure Brown sucks. He's eloquent and was a nice face for the end of the rebuild, but he doesn't seem like a tactically competent playoff coach.

That sounds a lot like our coach, actually, and I definitely want Casey out the door in Detroit.

[levon]

I'm proud of this one viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1914009

[Tomjas]

Their shooting has been abysmal away from home

Today was 18% from 3

That might seem like something Brown has no control over, but 3pt% speaks volumes about the flow of the offense. Get this:

Tobias shot 43.4% from 3pt over 55 games for the Clippers last year, and 41.1% the previous year for DET/LAC combined. This is a guy who averaged 5.3 attempts during that 1 1/2 season stretch. I remember Tobi talking about how excited he was to demonstrate his improved 3pt touch before the 17-18 season. In 67 games for the Sixers however, he's shooting 33.9% on the same volume. It's not like he's drawing doubles on the perimeter, so what the hell is going on here?

I'll keep going...

- Mike Scott hit 40.0% for the Wizards and Clippers before arriving in Philly; since then he's down to 37.0%.
- Horford averaged 37.1% for the Hawks/Celtics after adding the dimension to his game in 15-16; he's shooting 34.0% so far for the Sixers.
- Richardson shot 36.8% throughout his career for Miami; he's averaging 34.1% in the City of Brotherly Love.

And that was our starting lineup tonight, besides Ben who can't hurt team 3pt% without actually taking any In theory Ben's inward gravity should open up the perimeter for his teammates (as should Embiid's when healthy). Instead, what I believe we're seeing here are the fruits of a poorly designed and/or poorly implemented scheme. If true that falls on Brown.

I am a Simmons fan and acknowledge that some of the issues are his BUT it’s not like these guys are constantly taking heavily contested shots

Didn’t watch much today but against the Mavs, Ellis and Al combined for 3 air balls within the space of about a minute when left completely alone on the perimeter

It was like watching a bunch of selfish scrubs playing at the Y

Then there’s Brown’ attitude regarding Simmons

A couple of days ago, he was asked whether he’d bench Simmons if he refused to take a jumper from a play drawn up specifically for it

His answer was words to the effect of “I haven’t ever called a play like that so ...”

As a Simmons fan, even I was like wtf

If that truly is the case then he’s hurting Simmons development

If he’s being less than truthful to cover for Simmons then he’s hurting his development

Anyway, my non expert view is that Brown hasn’t lost the dressing room as the players are definitely trying

However, I do think that questions should be asked about his tactics and roster composition

[GeorgeMarcus]

Their shooting has been abysmal away from home

Today was 18% from 3

That might seem like something Brown has no control over, but 3pt% speaks volumes about the flow of the offense. Get this:

Tobias shot 43.4% from 3pt over 55 games for the Clippers last year, and 41.1% the previous year for DET/LAC combined. This is a guy who averaged 5.3 attempts during that 1 1/2 season stretch. I remember Tobi talking about how excited he was to demonstrate his improved 3pt touch before the 17-18 season. In 67 games for the Sixers however, he's shooting 33.9% on the same volume. It's not like he's drawing doubles on the perimeter, so what the hell is going on here?

I'll keep going...

- Mike Scott hit 40.0% for the Wizards and Clippers before arriving in Philly; since then he's down to 37.0%.
- Horford averaged 37.1% for the Hawks/Celtics after adding the dimension to his game in 15-16; he's shooting 34.0% so far for the Sixers.
- Richardson shot 36.8% throughout his career for Miami; he's averaging 34.1% in the City of Brotherly Love.

And that was our starting lineup tonight, besides Ben who can't hurt team 3pt% without actually taking any In theory Ben's inward gravity should open up the perimeter for his teammates (as should Embiid's when healthy). Instead, what I believe we're seeing here are the fruits of a poorly designed and/or poorly implemented scheme. If true that falls on Brown.

I am a Simmons fan and acknowledge that some of the issues are his BUT it’s not like these guys are constantly taking heavily contested shots

Didn’t watch much today but against the Mavs, Ellis and Al combined for 3 air balls within the space of about a minute when left completely alone on the perimeter

It was like watching a bunch of selfish scrubs playing at the Y

Then there’s Brown’ attitude regarding Simmons

A couple of days ago, he was asked whether he’d bench Simmons if he refused to take a jumper from a play drawn up specifically for it

His answer was words to the effect of “I haven’t ever called a play like that so ...”

As a Simmons fan, even I was like wtf

If that truly is the case then he’s hurting Simmons development

If he’s being less than truthful to cover for Simmons then he’s hurting his development

Anyway, my non expert view is that Brown hasn’t lost the dressing room as the players are definitely trying

However, I do think that questions should be asked about his tactics and roster composition

It's not just about being open/contested but also contriving situations that play to each player's strengths. Offensive schemes are suppose to generate reliable structures and a source of rhythm that guys can draw from. It's how teams become greater than the sum of their parts.

[Merc85]

Someone like Fox or Russell would make us way better, depending on Embiids health

[Duke4life831]

Russell and GS unprotected 1st pick this year starting to sound like it makes some sense...

[tmorgan]

Russell and GS unprotected 1st pick this year starting to sound like it makes some sense...

Not at all sure GS should be giving that pick up AND DLo for Simmons. I assume Dray isn't going anywhere, and Dray and Simmons makes for one hell of a weird team. Green's shot has gone missing for a couple years now, and Simmons has never found his in the first place. Even with two ATG shooters, that's going to screw up your offense.

[Duke4life831]

Russell and GS unprotected 1st pick this year starting to sound like it makes some sense...

Not at all sure GS should be giving that pick up AND DLo for Simmons. I assume Dray isn't going anywhere, and Dray and Simmons makes for one hell of a weird team. Green's shot has gone missing for a couple years now, and Simmons has never found his in the first place. Even with two ATG shooters, that's going to screw up your offense.

If this trade happens it's with the assumption that Dray would be on the move as well, so they can just plug Simmons into Drays spot.

[tmorgan]

If this trade happens it's with the assumption that Dray would be on the move as well, so they can just plug Simmons into Drays spot.

Unless the return for Green is a lot more than I think it would be, I don't like this series of moves from GS. Simmons is a unique player, but so is Draymond, and Draymond's uniqueness has already proven to be a great fit with Steph and Klay. Yeah, Simmons is a lot younger, but the title window for Golden State's big 3 is only a few more years anyway.

More specifically, Curry and Thompson's gravity gets Dray a lot of WIDE open threes. He's not a good enough shooter to make more than about a league average percentage even when wide open, but at least he takes them and makes some. You get Simmons that shot and he'll either make another unnecessary pass or drive the lane. That's not what their offense is supposed to do.

[jdm_dc_fan]

This is where Simmons should start upping his PPG and RPG significantly right?

[the_process]

The chances the Sixers make some drastic in season move are almost nil.

Now, if they go out in the 2nd round again...

[TheBallsDeeper]

As an Australian that watched Brett Brown coach in the NBL I've always wanted him to succeed, and was stoked when he got the head coaches role at the Sixers. However he has shown nothing to suggest that he belongs at this level. He seems to be too busy wanting to be liked by the players, and in doing so he is failing them.

With a different coach Simons would be a right-handed shooter taking over in the fourth, and Embiid and the rest of the team would not be filling up on junk food. Brown needs to go - now.

The season can be salvaged with a real coach, not a BFF running the show.