LloydFree wrote:AirP. wrote:PhillyFan11 wrote:I really feel like Jimmy is living off of reputation as a defender at this point. I was not impressed what so ever with his D. Not saying he’s bad, but the elite shut down guy that he has a reputation for was no where to be seen in my opinion. Not sure if my expectations were too high based on reading what a defensive presence he was, or he’s just made business decisions to ramp down his D at this point in his career.
Philly plays a switching defense, the guy with the ball can choose to get Butler or Simmons switched off him for a more favorable defensive player which makes a huge difference and gives Butler less time against the guy with the ball. I'm used to seeing Butler trying to stick to his man, fighting through picks and making his man work, with Philly, not much of that at all, just take your switch and like it.Spoiler:
I get Butler isn't a gifted player like some of the top tier guys, but there are VERY FEW players that seem to make big plays in crunch time, Butler is one of those few players who seem to make those crucial big plays on BOTH sides of the ball. If you want success in the playoffs, these are the type of players you acquire or keep.
Jimmy Butler is a gifted player. That's not the point. He doesn't help maximize Joel Embiid and/or especially Ben Simmons on offense. He actually competes against them for the ball and space on the court. Even if you're of the mind that Jimmy Butler is worth Max salary well into his thirties, there has to be some acknowledgement that those three players cause each other to provide diminished returns on court. The 76ers should be in the business of accentuating Simmons and Embiid, not paying premium prices to put players in that they can't coexist on court.
Yeah. I have a lot of competing opinions.
If we run it back, can we realistically win a title with the same starters? I guess it’s possible.
If they go a different direction, can they get good enough comparable talent to replace Butler and/or Tobias? I have no idea if they can get Russell, Brogdon, etc, which makes taking a definitive opinion either difficult way.
If they split that money up among backend starters like Beverly, Danny Green, Terrance Ross, Marcus Morris, Dedmon, Randle, could they contend? Doesn’t seem like the best use of money.
Unless I’m made aware of a series of transactions that can make us better, then prob have to go with the re-sign Butler and Tobias and go for it.
