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

[OzThunder]

I will argue it til I'm blue in the face... Simmons not shooting threes isn't the problem, spacing isn't the problem, team makeup isn't the problem.

Their offensive sets (and lack thereof) are absolute garbage.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Ben's impact on spacing is in fact a problem.....

Read on Twitter

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That's the play I pointed out earlier in the thread, someone else thankfully saw it. That happens often, especially in 4th quarters when he's afraid to play on ball because the other team may send him to the line.

I will argue it til I'm blue in the face... Simmons not shooting threes isn't the problem, spacing isn't the problem, team makeup isn't the problem.

Their offensive sets (and lack thereof) are absolute garbage.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using RealGM mobile app

[mudsak]

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

This is the best answer. If I was Philly I'd be trying as hard as possible to convince GS to send me DLO. He would immediately change the dynamic of that team. Dude is a walking bucket, can hit from ANYWHERE on the floor. Solid playmaker. He would fit so much better paired with Embiid than Simmons does.

But the coach is a deeper problem. Whenever I watch Philly play I see a team with no real system. The team is so LOADED with talent. A little structure would go a long way for 76ers imo.

[brutalitops]

I dont think Brett Brown is responcible for recruiting free agents and making trades so i dont blame him

Signing Horford was while he is a great and under-rated player, does not solve their issues
Josh Richardson was a nice player but not worth a non maxed Butler
Not trying to keep JJ was a bad move
maxing HArris while a nice player was not what the 76ers need

Already had Embiid/Simmons who are defensive monsters, would of made a priority of Bodganovic/Brogdan/Green. Guys who could handle having Simmons run PG and pass out to them. Not max out Harris to a contract that while he deserves proabbly doesnt fit

[Buzzard]

New season, same old story... 21-10 (56-win pace) with Embiid and 4-6 (33-win pace)

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.

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.

You would think that team could at least be competitive.

[eagereyez]

Ben's impact on spacing is in fact a problem.....

Read on Twitter

?s=19



That's the play I pointed out earlier in the thread, someone else thankfully saw it. That happens often, especially in 4th quarters when he's afraid to play on ball because the other team may send him to the line.

I will argue it til I'm blue in the face... Simmons not shooting threes isn't the problem, spacing isn't the problem, team makeup isn't the problem.

Their offensive sets (and lack thereof) are absolute garbage.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using RealGM mobile app

Simmons needs to be surrounded by 3 shooters in order for that pick n roll with Richardson to work. He is essentially a center on offense in the half-court, which causes a huge problem because he cannot guard centers on defense. That means the Sixers need to play someone who can guard centers and bomb 3s, which is difficult to find in the NBA.

Embiid is a very limited 3 pt. shooter and is best utilized in the paint where he can draw fouls and suck in the defense. The best center to play next to Simmons would be Towns, who is shooting 42% from 3 on 8.5 attempts.

Surrounding Simmons with 4 shooters will solve the spacing problem, but it doesn't solve the lack of creation in the half-court. You will still need a ball handler who can run the pick and roll or create their own shot at the end of games, because Simmons can't do it.

Simmons is an extremely difficult player to build around. And he really isn't good enough to dictate how his team looks. There are plenty of NBA PGs who are better than him and can hit a 3, allowing for a much simpler team construction.

[rzzzzz]

I thought Nick Nurse coached circles around Mike B and Steve Kerr. Neither of those coaches had any answers for Nurse's defensive adjustments. Espesically Mike B.

I thought Brett Brown did the best job at making game to game adjustments against Nurse's adjustments. Maybe he's a poor regular season coach but I thought he did a good job in the playoffs.

he adjusted to a better halfcourt scheme after Jimmy and JoJo demanded it. plus Jimmy's energy was huge. but the Sixers were in a great position heading down the stretch of game 7, when suddenly Brett couldn't seem to call anything, and they went minutes on end without a single decent look at the basket.

[BFRESH44]

Bret Brown is a fine coach. Not sure at all why he's being casted out as some scapegoat. Their two most talented players simply do not compliment each other. And they don't have enough shooting to off-set it. Bret Brown had the vision to highlight Ben Simmons strengths as a ball handler and playmaker, designating him as a "point guard", but I'm certain it wasn't Brown's plan that Simmons wouldn't work on his game and be a confident and assertive offensive player. Their personnel moves have been odd and have only compounding the ill fit of those two players. They're still a good team, but those early seaons notions that they were going to pace their way thru the East with ease were always hilarious. Not without Jimmy Butler they weren't.

[Wagonband]

Simmons and Embiid CAN work, but it's a pairing that can never be elite. I would trade Simmons for a competent shooting PG + an extra piece in a heart bit. As people mentioned, someone like Russel might do wonders for the Sixers; a PG that can shoot, create his own shot and pass if necessary would do wonders for the sixers... I know Russel is much worse defensively and in transition, but so what? Sixers have 4 elite defenders, they can risk having a PG that is offence first, defence later.

[Darth Celtic]

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.

I mean, the Wizards have nothing to lose. They just go out and play, if you take a bad shot, who cares, if you don't get back on defense, who cares? Teams like the Sixers and Celtics, Bucks, can't play that way. They have to take smart shots and find the right matchup, and get back on defense instead of fight for every offensive rebound.

Can't compare those 2.

[eagereyez]

Simmons and Embiid CAN work, but it's a pairing that can never be elite. I would trade Simmons for a competent shooting PG + an extra piece in a heart bit. As people mentioned, someone like Russel might do wonders for the Sixers; a PG that can shoot, create his own shot and pass if necessary would do wonders for the sixers... I know Russel is much worse defensively and in transition, but so what? Sixers have 4 elite defenders, they can risk having a PG that is offence first, defence later.

I think the Sixers can do a lot to hide Russell on defense, but the fact that he has never been a big impact player is worrisome. I would rather see the Sixers trade Simmons for Murray or McCollum. Murray is still transitioning from a SG to a PG and will only continue to get better. McCollum is a PG who is forced to play SG due to Lillard and would play better for the Sixers, because he would be playing in his natural position. That said the Sixers can't trade Simmons until the off-season, so we get to watch this abomination of a roster play out the rest of the year.

[TheWitcher]

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

This is the best answer. If I was Philly I'd be trying as hard as possible to convince GS to send me DLO. He would immediately change the dynamic of that team. Dude is a walking bucket, can hit from ANYWHERE on the floor. Solid playmaker. He would fit so much better paired with Embiid than Simmons does.

But the coach is a deeper problem. Whenever I watch Philly play I see a team with no real system. The team is so LOADED with talent. A little structure would go a long way for 76ers imo.

If you gift Simmons to the Warriors that would be disastrous to the small amount of parity we have received this season.

Curry
Klay
3nD wing
Simmons
Green

That lineup would cause pure destruction.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Bret Brown is a fine coach. Not sure at all why he's being casted out as some scapegoat. Their two most talented players simply do not compliment each other. And they don't have enough shooting to off-set it. Bret Brown had the vision to highlight Ben Simmons strengths as a ball handler and playmaker, designating him as a "point guard", but I'm certain it wasn't Brown's plan that Simmons wouldn't work on his game and be a confident and assertive offensive player. Their personnel moves have been odd and have only compounding the ill fit of those two players. They're still a good team, but those early seaons notions that they were going to pace their way thru the East with ease were always hilarious. Not without Jimmy Butler they weren't.

Brown is being criticized because there's no accountability for Simmons, he asks every other player on that team to do things outside of their comfort zone, except for Simmons. He may be a fine coach but his relationship with Simmons is an issue and may have been what Butler was alluding to and one of the reasons why Jimmy didn't come back for them. Brown publicly challenged Simmons to shoot 1 three a game, since then Simmons hasn't taken a single three, he asks nothing of Simmons as far as his game progressing and doesn't hold him accountable when he makes mistakes. There was a game last month where Embiid got benched in the 4th quarter which was the right move, yet Simmons hasn't been benched no matter how much he hurts their spacing or how often he goes scoreless down the stretch.

[kuclas]

Embiid likely out till all star break. That will be total of 17 games he misses. I count 9 more losses for sixers. They gonna to be 31-25 give or take by time embiid comes back. It will be a tough stretch to get home court for playoffs even for the first round.

Regardless. Unless something magically happens. Sixers gonna to not get home court for 2nd round and considering how bad they been closing out winnable games (up or down 4 points with 2 minutes left in 4th quarter) on the road.

Looking like another 2nd round exit for sixers. I think Think they can take out Boston/Miami/Toronto/Indiana (assuming healthy embiid) in one round without home court in 1st round. But it’s extremely hard to do it twice without home court.

Just a flawed team and lack of execution in last minutes of the games on the road has clearly cost them 6-7 winnable road games.

[jbent87]

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

This is the best answer. If I was Philly I'd be trying as hard as possible to convince GS to send me DLO. He would immediately change the dynamic of that team. Dude is a walking bucket, can hit from ANYWHERE on the floor. Solid playmaker. He would fit so much better paired with Embiid than Simmons does.

But the coach is a deeper problem. Whenever I watch Philly play I see a team with no real system. The team is so LOADED with talent. A little structure would go a long way for 76ers imo.

If you gift Simmons to the Warriors that would be disastrous to the small amount of parity we have received this season.

Curry
Klay
3nD wing
Simmons
Green

That lineup would cause pure destruction.

Would it though? Still have two Point Forwards who cant shoot and want to pass in Draymond/Simmons. Seems like an odd fit, despite three other elite guys surrounding them in Klay/Steph/3andD(Covington?)

[mudsak]

This is the best answer. If I was Philly I'd be trying as hard as possible to convince GS to send me DLO. He would immediately change the dynamic of that team. Dude is a walking bucket, can hit from ANYWHERE on the floor. Solid playmaker. He would fit so much better paired with Embiid than Simmons does.

But the coach is a deeper problem. Whenever I watch Philly play I see a team with no real system. The team is so LOADED with talent. A little structure would go a long way for 76ers imo.

If you gift Simmons to the Warriors that would be disastrous to the small amount of parity we have received this season.

Curry
Klay
3nD wing
Simmons
Green

That lineup would cause pure destruction.

Would it though? Still have two Point Forwards who cant shoot and want to pass in Draymond/Simmons. Seems like an odd fit, despite three other elite guys surrounding them in Klay/Steph/3andD(Covington?)

I agree... The thing is... Simmons is an odd fit on pretty much any team at this point. He's immensely talented, but comes with an enormous caveat that is a major challenge within the modern NBA. If I'm Philly, I'm gunning for DLO. He would open up the offense immediately. DLO/Embiid would be a problem.

[mudsak]

Simmons and Embiid CAN work, but it's a pairing that can never be elite. I would trade Simmons for a competent shooting PG + an extra piece in a heart bit. As people mentioned, someone like Russel might do wonders for the Sixers; a PG that can shoot, create his own shot and pass if necessary would do wonders for the sixers... I know Russel is much worse defensively and in transition, but so what? Sixers have 4 elite defenders, they can risk having a PG that is offence first, defence later.

I think the Sixers can do a lot to hide Russell on defense, but the fact that he has never been a big impact player is worrisome. I would rather see the Sixers trade Simmons for Murray or McCollum. Murray is still transitioning from a SG to a PG and will only continue to get better. McCollum is a PG who is forced to play SG due to Lillard and would play better for the Sixers, because he would be playing in his natural position. That said the Sixers can't trade Simmons until the off-season, so we get to watch this abomination of a roster play out the rest of the year.

DLO's never played with a team that had a decent roster. But he was a big impact player for the Nets last year. That roster was pretty bad... he got them to the playoffs. He's insanely talented. McCollum disappears for long periods, and has no real playmaking skills. He's just a scorer, and a very hot/cold streaky one at that. Murray would be interesting... and Denver would probably be the ideal fit for Simmons in the league. I think I'd still take DLO over those other two if I'm Philly.

I think CP3 is a semi-interesting possibility as well, but age/injury prone vs. what you would be getting out of maybe a Murray, or DLO... I think I go for the younger player even though CP3 is the better player out of the 3.

[SAKURABA216]

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.

I wouldn't want to lose Dray, D-Lo, and the #1 pick just for Simmons. Assuming the Warriors get a top 3 pick, its likely going to land them Wiseman and a lineup of Curry/D-Lo/Klay/Draymond/Wiseman looks a lot better than one with Curry/Klay/Simmons/?/?

[BballIntellect]

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.

I wouldn't want to lose Dray, D-Lo, and the #1 pick just for Simmons. Assuming the Warriors get a top 3 pick, its likely going to land them Wiseman and a lineup of Curry/D-Lo/Klay/Draymond/Wiseman looks a lot better than one with Curry/Klay/Simmons/?/?

Draymond would be gone in a separate trade to Ben Simmons. Dlo + Draymond for Simmons wouldn't even make the salaries work.

[Duke4life831]

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.

I wouldn't want to lose Dray, D-Lo, and the #1 pick just for Simmons. Assuming the Warriors get a top 3 pick, its likely going to land them Wiseman and a lineup of Curry/D-Lo/Klay/Draymond/Wiseman looks a lot better than one with Curry/Klay/Simmons/?/?

It would be pick/DLO for Simmons, then Draymond for another piece, like a legit big or ideally a legit 3&D wing. Give me a lineup of

Curry
Klay
3&D wing
Simmons
Big

Put a guy like Spellman in for the big, for a small ball lineup. Plug Ben into the same role as Draymond and surround him with 4 shooters, Id love to see that.

Wiseman is very far from being an impact player and DLO doesn't fit at all with Curry and Klay. So ya not excited about that possibility at all.