Celtics fans seem to favor Noel

[PhillySixers22]

Why are you so willing to hand the keys to Simmons and prematurely build around him when he hasn't proved anything at this level yet? I understand the logic behind drafting him, but this year should be about evaluation. It should be about 1. seeing if these guys can gel together and 2. figuring out who the keepers really are if it doesn't work. With our upcoming picks, assets, and cap space it makes no sense to pull the trigger on one of our best prospects.

btw- I don't think the lineup you posted is efficient. However, I do think the lineup I posted with shooters can be very efficient on offense.

The length is outstanding and that team is built to inflate Simmon's assist numbers.

The problem is that Okafor already has one foot out the door anyway due to Embiid being a better player, and Noel having limitations that make him unable to play next to Okafor.

So Okafor is a 50-50 proposition anyway if he is going to be on the Sixers. Then you add a better player in Simmons that further complicates Okafor's position.

I am a huge Okafor fan in terms of his long term potential, but I think Simmons and Embiid are both better prospects, and Okafor can bring back a lot in trade, AND we have absolutely putrid backcourt talent, and the writing is just on the wall.

That's the point- you THINK that Simmons and Embiid are better prospects. How can you be so sure without getting more data? Are you willing to make a major change like this simply on an unproven assumption? That's such a reckless thing to do.

Embiid hasn't played at a high level in 3 years and he has injury issues. I'm rooting for Joel, but he's not out of the woods yet.

Simmons hasn't played one minute in the NBA, yet we already have a mandate to begin building around him? Once again, I get why people want to draft Ben and a genuinely believe he has good potential, but he has his flaws too. He's also not guaranteed to be a better player than Jah, contrary to popular opinion around here.

Why are you so obsessed with fixing our backcourt this year when we have multiple picks in a deep guard draft next year? That line of thinking doesn't make sense. This year should be about evaluation, let the guys earn their spot and figure out which players work best together.

Exactly the way I see this coming season, time to evaluate the prospects we have and not field a finished product. Roster balance and team need really don't matter until the core is established. Currently I consider our core moving forward Simmons, Embiid and Okafor, but honestly that's far from set in stone. How are all the fans pushing to deal Okafor going to feel if we send him to Boston for #3 and then Embiid suffers another set back? Then we go from a perceived logjam at center to Noel and that's it. Be patient, just because Hinkie is gone doesn't mean we need to rush things and potentially derail our rebuild.

[spikeslovechild]

Why are you so willing to hand the keys to Simmons and prematurely build around him when he hasn't proved anything at this level yet? I understand the logic behind drafting him, but this year should be about evaluation. It should be about 1. seeing if these guys can gel together and 2. figuring out who the keepers really are if it doesn't work. With our upcoming picks, assets, and cap space it makes no sense to pull the trigger on one of our best prospects.

btw- I don't think the lineup you posted is efficient. However, I do think the lineup I posted with shooters can be very efficient on offense.

The length is outstanding and that team is built to inflate Simmon's assist numbers.

The problem is that Okafor already has one foot out the door anyway due to Embiid being a better player, and Noel having limitations that make him unable to play next to Okafor.

So Okafor is a 50-50 proposition anyway if he is going to be on the Sixers. Then you add a better player in Simmons that further complicates Okafor's position.

I am a huge Okafor fan in terms of his long term potential, but I think Simmons and Embiid are both better prospects, and Okafor can bring back a lot in trade, AND we have absolutely putrid backcourt talent, and the writing is just on the wall.


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He can have one foot out the door all he wants he's our property for the foreseeable future. Noel timetable is different he's an RFA after next season at a time when RFA max is going to be 22+ million and he is likely looking at a deal in the 16-18 million range per year. I also have a hard time understanding what Okafor really has to do with Noel and his limatitions. He shares a position with Embiid not Okafor.

I just don't get this false urgency to trade Okafor. It isn't even that great of draft.

[sixers4real]

Jeez, when I read some posts I'm actually like the thinking of Colangelo and his resent interview with Eskin.
Now, if we draft Simmons, witch we 90% will, he's going to be PF. He has advantage over other PFs is his speed. He's not a SF. Neither is Saric. Any lineup of Simmons Okafor Embiid is not efficient unless u put Curry AND Lillard in there. But we don't and will not have Curry OR Lillard.
When I look at
Lin
Stauskas
Simmons
Okafor
Embiid
I remember our lineup of
Andre Miller
Iggy
Thad
EB42
SD
the names are there, the fit is not. so we had to put Willie Green in that starting 5.
I mean, Simmons is a 4.

[Easymoney]

The problem is that Okafor already has one foot out the door anyway due to Embiid being a better player, and Noel having limitations that make him unable to play next to Okafor.

So Okafor is a 50-50 proposition anyway if he is going to be on the Sixers. Then you add a better player in Simmons that further complicates Okafor's position.

I am a huge Okafor fan in terms of his long term potential, but I think Simmons and Embiid are both better prospects, and Okafor can bring back a lot in trade, AND we have absolutely putrid backcourt talent, and the writing is just on the wall.

That's the point- you THINK that Simmons and Embiid are better prospects. How can you be so sure without getting more data? Are you willing to make a major change like this simply on an unproven assumption? That's such a reckless thing to do.

Embiid hasn't played at a high level in 3 years and he has injury issues. I'm rooting for Joel, but he's not out of the woods yet.

Simmons hasn't played one minute in the NBA, yet we already have a mandate to begin building around him? Once again, I get why people want to draft Ben and a genuinely believe he has good potential, but he has his flaws too. He's also not guaranteed to be a better player than Jah, contrary to popular opinion around here.

Why are you so obsessed with fixing our backcourt this year when we have multiple picks in a deep guard draft next year? That line of thinking doesn't make sense. This year should be about evaluation, let the guys earn their spot and figure out which players work best together.

I'm not obsessed with fixing the backcourt this year, but I see the benefit of doing so. Dunn and knight is a pretty good return, and they would start for us.

Why do I think that Embiid and Simmons are better players? I've watched all of them play a lot of games, and that is just what I think. Don't know what else to say about that.

I am willing to trade Okafor only because of fit, and not because I don't like him. I think that he can be an all star. Trading him just solves problems for us. It can be done next year, but 4 and Knight is good enough for me to move now on.


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If we had a legitimate PG from the start of this year, we wouldn't be even entertaining the discussion of trading Jah for anything less than a superstar. The mistake most people make in regards to Jah is not evaluating him this year in proper context. Nevertheless, the facts are out there thanks to 76iology- Jah's per 36 once we got a NBA guard was 23ppg 8 rebs and 1 blk on 58% shooting. All of his stats, including defensive rating, paced with KAT during this period. There are videos posted of him showing an ability to rotate on defense as well.

The idea that Jah is just some back to the basket player is also one of the more baffling myths circulating about our reigning best player. Okafor improved his shooting substantially, showed an ability to face-up midrange and drive to the basket, and has the touch to make the pass to the open man off of double teams. He has the perfect skill set to move to the 4 for us, he just has to lose a few pounds, which is not something that would be physically impossible for him to do.

I would say that Okafor has a higher probability of losing 10 pounds to defend the 4 than Simmons has of developing a decent shot, yet we look at Jah as some hopeless project whose value will fall off a cliff like MCW. Let these guys play together next year and prove their worth. You don't want to send Jah to actual NBA team next year and watch him become the player he has the potential to be. You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival.

[Sixerscan]

The idea that Jah is just some back to the basket player is also one of the more baffling myths circulating about our reigning best player. Okafor improved his shooting substantially, showed an ability to face-up midrange and drive to the basket, and has the touch to make the pass to the open man off of double teams. He has the perfect skill set to move to the 4 for us, he just has to lose a few pounds, which is not something that would be physically impossible for him to do.

This is actually the part of his game that is the much bigger issue for me. So much of his offense operates out of the high post which is where Simmons (and less importantly probably Saric) should also be. Otherwise Simmons' playmaking isn't as much of a weapon in the halfcourt. Even if Embiid never plays a second this is still a major problem.

And you can keep acting like Simmons isn't going to be playing power forward, but when the GM of the team is literally saying in every interview that he's a 4, it's probably happening.

[LloydFree]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..."

Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

[Ericb5]

Why are you so willing to hand the keys to Simmons and prematurely build around him when he hasn't proved anything at this level yet? I understand the logic behind drafting him, but this year should be about evaluation. It should be about 1. seeing if these guys can gel together and 2. figuring out who the keepers really are if it doesn't work. With our upcoming picks, assets, and cap space it makes no sense to pull the trigger on one of our best prospects.

btw- I don't think the lineup you posted is efficient. However, I do think the lineup I posted with shooters can be very efficient on offense.

The length is outstanding and that team is built to inflate Simmon's assist numbers.

The problem is that Okafor already has one foot out the door anyway due to Embiid being a better player, and Noel having limitations that make him unable to play next to Okafor.

So Okafor is a 50-50 proposition anyway if he is going to be on the Sixers. Then you add a better player in Simmons that further complicates Okafor's position.

I am a huge Okafor fan in terms of his long term potential, but I think Simmons and Embiid are both better prospects, and Okafor can bring back a lot in trade, AND we have absolutely putrid backcourt talent, and the writing is just on the wall.


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He can have one foot out the door all he wants he's our property for the foreseeable future. Noel timetable is different he's an RFA after next season at a time when RFA max is going to be 22+ million and he is likely looking at a deal in the 16-18 million range per year. I also have a hard time understanding what Okafor really has to do with Noel and his limatitions. He shares a position with Embiid not Okafor.

I just don't get this false urgency to trade Okafor. It isn't even that great of draft.

I mean that he is behind the 8 ball because of fit, and not that we need urgency to trade him.

I have said this a number of times. My preference is to keep him and see how it goes, but I think that he WILL be traded at the draft, just by reading the tea leaves.

As long as we are going to trade him, I would like something like 4 and Knight.

Despite as much as I love him as a prospect, and think that he is going to get better, I think his long term fit with Embiid and Simmons is going to be tough. I think that he is a solid 3rd in the pecking order of this franchise.

He is our best opportunity to get a good backcourt quickly, and we are beyond the tanking stage, and need to put some viable guards on the roster if for no other reason than to help develop our bigs.

You characterize willingness to trade him as urgency to trade him as if people just want him off the team, and other than a few exceptions, that isn't what people are saying.



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[Easymoney]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..."

Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

You are ignoring reality. It has already been proven that Jah has the capability of becoming a competent defensive player, as evidenced by his improved defensive stats during the second half of the season. I urge you to check out some of 76ciology's posts regarding this matter as your narrative on Okafor's defensive ceiling is false.

[Easymoney]

The idea that Jah is just some back to the basket player is also one of the more baffling myths circulating about our reigning best player. Okafor improved his shooting substantially, showed an ability to face-up midrange and drive to the basket, and has the touch to make the pass to the open man off of double teams. He has the perfect skill set to move to the 4 for us, he just has to lose a few pounds, which is not something that would be physically impossible for him to do.

This is actually the part of his game that is the much bigger issue for me. So much of his offense operates out of the high post which is where Simmons (and less importantly probably Saric) should also be. Otherwise Simmons' playmaking isn't as much of a weapon in the halfcourt. Even if Embiid never plays a second this is still a major problem.

And you can keep acting like Simmons isn't going to be playing power forward, but when the GM of the team is literally saying in every interview that he's a 4, it's probably happening.

Jah showed an improved ability to shoot midrange and has the footwork to become better in the PNR, which compliments Simmons game.

Once again, why are we building a team around a kid who hasn't even played a minute the NBA? Don't you think, with all of the assets we have right now, it would be smart to sit back and evaluate these players before deciding to build around one of them? I know very well what our GM is saying. If the rumors about his eagerness to get rid of Jah are true, he is truly the idiot GM I feared he would be.

[LloydFree]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..."

Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

You are ignoring reality. It has already been proven that Jah has the capability of becoming a competent defensive player, as evidenced by his improved defensive stats during the second half of the season. I urge you to check out some of 76ciology's posts regarding this matter as your narrative on Okafor's defensive ceiling is false.

No you're ignoring reality. If Okafor had the capability of becoming a good defensive Center, the coach would be ' up-in-arms' that the team was contemplating trading his "stud". The fact that neither the front office or coaching staff have come to support the notion of keeping Okafor is all you need to know about what they think of Okafor's potential. That's the reality.

[Easymoney]

The problem is that Okafor already has one foot out the door anyway due to Embiid being a better player, and Noel having limitations that make him unable to play next to Okafor.

So Okafor is a 50-50 proposition anyway if he is going to be on the Sixers. Then you add a better player in Simmons that further complicates Okafor's position.

I am a huge Okafor fan in terms of his long term potential, but I think Simmons and Embiid are both better prospects, and Okafor can bring back a lot in trade, AND we have absolutely putrid backcourt talent, and the writing is just on the wall.


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He can have one foot out the door all he wants he's our property for the foreseeable future. Noel timetable is different he's an RFA after next season at a time when RFA max is going to be 22+ million and he is likely looking at a deal in the 16-18 million range per year. I also have a hard time understanding what Okafor really has to do with Noel and his limatitions. He shares a position with Embiid not Okafor.

I just don't get this false urgency to trade Okafor. It isn't even that great of draft.

I mean that he is behind the 8 ball because of fit, and not that we need urgency to trade him.

I have said this a number of times. My preference is to keep him and see how it goes, but I think that he WILL be traded at the draft, just by reading the tea leaves.

As long as we are going to trade him, I would like something like 4 and Knight.

Despite as much as I love him as a prospect, and think that he is going to get better, I think his long term fit with Embiid and Simmons is going to be tough. I think that he is a solid 3rd in the pecking order of this franchise.

He is our best opportunity to get a good backcourt quickly, and we are beyond the tanking stage, and need to put some viable guards on the roster if for no other reason than to help develop our bigs.

You characterize willingness to trade him as urgency to trade him as if people just want him off the team, and other than a few exceptions, that isn't what people are saying.

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The difference between you and I on this matter is that you have already committed to building around Simmons, despite him not playing a single solitary second at the NBA level, while I am willing to take a more cautious approach in regards to finding our star. My plan has versatility and optionality, while yours is simply a gamble.

Why rush to get backcourt players in this draft when better options will be available next year? Do you really want to trade Okafor for players we may very well marginalize after next years draft? Does that make any logical sense at all?

The only thing we need to worry about in terms of backcourt play this year is making sure we don't play Dleague players in our starting lineup.

[Easymoney]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..."

Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

You are ignoring reality. It has already been proven that Jah has the capability of becoming a competent defensive player, as evidenced by his improved defensive stats during the second half of the season. I urge you to check out some of 76ciology's posts regarding this matter as your narrative on Okafor's defensive ceiling is false.

No you're ignoring reality. If Okafor had the capability of becoming a good defensive Center, the coach would be ' up-in-arms' that the team was contemplating trading his "stud". The fact that neither the front office or coaching staff have come to support the notion of keeping Okafor is all you need to know about what they think of Okafor's potential. That's the reality.

What you say would be true if FACTS weren't already posted disproving the idea that a 20 year old Okafor will never become a better defender. Would you like me to re-post them for you?

I only go by facts. I couldn't care less what another man thinks, coach or GM, if the facts didn't support their stance.

[HotelVitale]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..." Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

That's a weird way to think about it and totally the wrong question to ask. The only one that matters is: do you think Kris Dunn/J Murray is more likely to win us a title than Okafor? You can not like Okafor much and still find a big role for him on a great team (for example, at worst he could be used like OKC used Kanter this offseason), and there's no reason to give him away for a ho-hum package just because you don't think he can be MVP.

[spikeslovechild]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..."

Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

You are ignoring reality. It has already been proven that Jah has the capability of becoming a competent defensive player, as evidenced by his improved defensive stats during the second half of the season. I urge you to check out some of 76ciology's posts regarding this matter as your narrative on Okafor's defensive ceiling is false.

No you're ignoring reality. If Okafor had the capability of becoming a good defensive Center, the coach would be ' up-in-arms' that the team was contemplating trading his "stud". The fact that neither the front office or coaching staff have come to support the notion of keeping Okafor is all you need to know about what they think of Okafor's potential. That's the reality.

Thats just not true. Coaches will always take the shortest view in the room. They are conditioned to.

If they don't win they are fired. Thats why even if Coach Brown thought Okafor would develop into something special he knows doesn't have two or three years to find that out.

[Winejk]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..."

Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

You are ignoring reality. It has already been proven that Jah has the capability of becoming a competent defensive player, as evidenced by his improved defensive stats during the second half of the season. I urge you to check out some of 76ciology's posts regarding this matter as your narrative on Okafor's defensive ceiling is false.

No you're ignoring reality. If Okafor had the capability of becoming a good defensive Center, the coach would be ' up-in-arms' that the team was contemplating trading his "stud". The fact that neither the front office or coaching staff have come to support the notion of keeping Okafor is all you need to know about what they think of Okafor's potential. That's the reality.

Really? Silence = you know what they think of Okafor's potential?

How do you know that Brett Brown isn't behind the scenes supporting Okafor? Colangelo has been on the job for 1.5 months. I don't think any of us have any idea what Colangelo is thinking. I don't think Chad Ford has any insider knowledge about what Colangelo is thinking either.

[Ericb5]

He can have one foot out the door all he wants he's our property for the foreseeable future. Noel timetable is different he's an RFA after next season at a time when RFA max is going to be 22+ million and he is likely looking at a deal in the 16-18 million range per year. I also have a hard time understanding what Okafor really has to do with Noel and his limatitions. He shares a position with Embiid not Okafor.

I just don't get this false urgency to trade Okafor. It isn't even that great of draft.

I mean that he is behind the 8 ball because of fit, and not that we need urgency to trade him.

I have said this a number of times. My preference is to keep him and see how it goes, but I think that he WILL be traded at the draft, just by reading the tea leaves.

As long as we are going to trade him, I would like something like 4 and Knight.

Despite as much as I love him as a prospect, and think that he is going to get better, I think his long term fit with Embiid and Simmons is going to be tough. I think that he is a solid 3rd in the pecking order of this franchise.

He is our best opportunity to get a good backcourt quickly, and we are beyond the tanking stage, and need to put some viable guards on the roster if for no other reason than to help develop our bigs.

You characterize willingness to trade him as urgency to trade him as if people just want him off the team, and other than a few exceptions, that isn't what people are saying.

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The difference between you and I on this matter is that you have already committed to building around Simmons, despite him not playing a single solitary second at the NBA level, while I am willing to take a more cautious approach in regards to finding our star. My plan has versatility and optionality, while yours is simply a gamble.

Why rush to get backcourt players in this draft when better options will be available next year? Do you really want to trade Okafor for players we may very well marginalize after next years draft? Does that make any logical sense at all?

The only thing we need to worry about in terms of backcourt play this year is making sure we don't play Dleague players in our starting lineup.

It's true that I am ready to commit to building around Simmons and Embiid.

I just think that they are the stars that we needed to get from the tank, and now I am ready to start complimenting them. We can't have the same Dleague backcourt this season. We need more stability there.




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[LloydFree]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..." Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

That's a weird way to think about it and totally the wrong question to ask. The only one that matters is: do you think Kris Dunn/J Murray is more likely to win us a title than Okafor? You can not like Okafor much and still find a big role for him on a great team (for example, at worst he could be used like OKC used Kanter this offseason), and there's no reason to give him away for a ho-hum package just because you don't think he can be MVP.

That's the thing. I do believe Kris Dunn (not, Murray) is good value for Okafor. You have a better chance of winning a championship with a great ball handling, 2 way PG, than any Non-rebounding, weak rim protecting Center. Rajon Rondo came within 12 minutes of being a major part of Back-to-back championships. John Wall is a starting All-star. Meanwhile, guys like Brook Lopez, Vucevic, Enes Kanter(Utah) and Greg Monroe's teams have a hard time winning 35 games in a season. The fallacy is that Okafor has the value to fetch a superstar. He doesn't. He has name recognition amongst fans and draftniks like us, because he was highly touted. But it is clear now, that he is not a star player and other teams know this. The 76ers are selling high, if you ask me. He can only be exposed, the longer they hold on to him.

[PhilasFinest]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..." Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

That's a weird way to think about it and totally the wrong question to ask. The only one that matters is: do you think Kris Dunn/J Murray is more likely to win us a title than Okafor? You can not like Okafor much and still find a big role for him on a great team (for example, at worst he could be used like OKC used Kanter this offseason), and there's no reason to give him away for a ho-hum package just because you don't think he can be MVP.

That's the thing. I do believe Kris Dunn (not, Murray) is good value for Okafor. You have a better chance of winning a championship with a great ball handling, 2 way PG, than any Non -rebounding, weak rim protecting Center. Rajon Rondo came within 12 minutes of being a major part of Back-to-back champion. John Wall is a starting All-star. Meanwhile, guys like Brook Lopez, Vucevic, Enes Kanter(Utah) and Greg Monroe's teams have a hard time winning 35 games in a season. The fallacy is that Okafor has the value to fetch a superstar. He doesn't. He has name recognition amongst fans and draftniks like us, because he was highly touted. But it is clear now, that he is not a star player and other teams know this. The 76ers are selling high, if you ask me. He can only be exposed, the longer they hold on to him.

Preach Lloyd, preach!

[Sixerscan]

The idea that Jah is just some back to the basket player is also one of the more baffling myths circulating about our reigning best player. Okafor improved his shooting substantially, showed an ability to face-up midrange and drive to the basket, and has the touch to make the pass to the open man off of double teams. He has the perfect skill set to move to the 4 for us, he just has to lose a few pounds, which is not something that would be physically impossible for him to do.

This is actually the part of his game that is the much bigger issue for me. So much of his offense operates out of the high post which is where Simmons (and less importantly probably Saric) should also be. Otherwise Simmons' playmaking isn't as much of a weapon in the halfcourt. Even if Embiid never plays a second this is still a major problem.

And you can keep acting like Simmons isn't going to be playing power forward, but when the GM of the team is literally saying in every interview that he's a 4, it's probably happening.

Jah showed an improved ability to shoot midrange and has the footwork to become better in the PNR, which compliments Simmons game.

Once again, why are we building a team around a kid who hasn't even played a minute the NBA? Don't you think, with all of the assets we have right now, it would be smart to sit back and evaluate these players before deciding to build around one of them? I know very well what our GM is saying. If the rumors about his eagerness to get rid of Jah are true, he is truly the idiot GM I feared he would be.

Because he's a much much better prospect than Okafor? Like you can disagree with that but you've asked that question and gotten that answer a decent amount...

I don't think its in anyone's best interest to reduce Okafor to a midrange shooter and PNR guy, neither of which he's even good at yet and certainly aren't what he's most effective at. Seems like a good reason to trade the guy... getting traded doesn't mean you're bad.

[76ciology]

"You don't want to see a 21 year old stud, who was once on your team, averaging 25 ppg 9 rebs 3 ast 1 blk on 58% for a division rival..." Oh, but I do. I do want to see my division rival with that, especially when it come from a Center that's incapable of guarding anybody or protecting the basket. I want to see that because I know that there hasnt been a bad defensive Center win a championship in 20 years. So I know I won't miss what he brings.

That's a weird way to think about it and totally the wrong question to ask. The only one that matters is: do you think Kris Dunn/J Murray is more likely to win us a title than Okafor? You can not like Okafor much and still find a big role for him on a great team (for example, at worst he could be used like OKC used Kanter this offseason), and there's no reason to give him away for a ho-hum package just because you don't think he can be MVP.

That's the thing. I do believe Kris Dunn (not, Murray) is good value for Okafor. You have a better chance of winning a championship with a great ball handling, 2 way PG, than any Non-rebounding, weak rim protecting Center. Rajon Rondo came within 12 minutes of being a major part of Back-to-back championships. John Wall is a starting All-star. Meanwhile, guys like Brook Lopez, Vucevic, Enes Kanter(Utah) and Greg Monroe's teams have a hard time winning 35 games in a season. The fallacy is that Okafor has the value to fetch a superstar. He doesn't. He has name recognition amongst fans and draftniks like us, because he was highly touted. But it is clear now, that he is not a star player and other teams know this. The 76ers are selling high, if you ask me. He can only be exposed, the longer they hold on to him.

Hawks is the best defensive team in the league in terms of DFG%, despite not having a good shotblocking PF/C. Like the Spurs, they play defense as a team, which should be the case. Gone are the days where there's a need for an elite shot blocking center, because teams don't funnel defense into a single player.

How is defense played nowadays? Bigs should be mobile to rotate and close out perimeter players. Wings should be able to rotate and protect the paint. It's an collective effort. Another example is how Celtics plays defense. They were able to make Olynyk and Sullinger plus defenders FWIW. You can neutralize a team's defensive anchor C with a dime a dozen big who can knock down shots at the perimeter.

Jah is mobile enough to move his feet. I can provide you some clips of him being able to stay in front of guys like like Teague, Beal, Payton or Jordan Clarkson. (see my post at Gen Board). How is Jah able to do that? He doesn't need to stay THAT close with his defender he has a 9'3" reach so he can sag off (also what makes Durant an elite individual defender -7% diff overall). Jah is also quicker than most centers, and personally it's because he is smaller than 7'.

Jah despite all the criticisms, has one of the highest DFGA inside 6 feet. Jah has the 7th highest number of challenged shots, that his opponents shoot almost -7% then their usual FG% when he is defending them.http://stats.nba.com/league/player/defense/#!/lt6/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=FGA_LT_06&dir=1

Less than 10ft defense. 7th in DFGA. -7% Diff
http://stats.nba.com/league/player/defense/#!/lt10/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

Jah is more of a Draymond Green style rim protector (not saying he is as good) that they play defense around the rim by their verticality than by getting deflections (blocks).

Sixers is not selling high with Jah. You are not the only person in the league who has access in Kevin Pelton's RPM and BKREF's BPM. Right now, Jah has really bad advanced stats and +/-. And most of it has got to do with playing with our deflating team last year.

Jah is a very talented player. He's only 19-20 and you can clearly see improvement with his game as the season progress. Like stats, you just need to put him at the right environment/context to see his value.

For now, I just want to trade him because I think we need to build a certain way around SImmons. And I do think we will draft Simmons. But then I wouldn't mind to see how Simmons, Jah and Biid will play, and right now I'm trying to analyse how these three can work.