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

[PennSports]

If Ben added any semblance of a 3pt shot to his repertoire, spacing really wouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately he didn't. I don't think playmaking is much of an issue to be honest, but our lack of catch-and-shoot players has been pretty glaring.

They miss JJ a lot more than I expected. I really think they need a guy that can provide volume from 3 and hit shots on the move rather than just and a catch and shoot guy. The DHOs that were a staple of the offense have pretty much disappeared. And with how teams defend Ben and Jo, I think it's a necessity.

He was always such a detriment defensively though, especially come playoff time. Coaches like Brad Stevens knew how to pick him apart. I agree about the DHOs though- I think Embiid especially relied on that element of the offense.

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

[jstross]

Korkmaz is not a good defender, but he's actually showing some improvement. He had the hot hand last night on O too.

[Arsenal]

They miss JJ a lot more than I expected. I really think they need a guy that can provide volume from 3 and hit shots on the move rather than just and a catch and shoot guy. The DHOs that were a staple of the offense have pretty much disappeared. And with how teams defend Ben and Jo, I think it's a necessity.

He was always such a detriment defensively though, especially come playoff time. Coaches like Brad Stevens knew how to pick him apart. I agree about the DHOs though- I think Embiid especially relied on that element of the offense.

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

Outdated take. Korkmaz has been much improved on D this year. Plus he has the obvious size/length advantage over the smaller JJ.

There is no reason Kork shouldn't be slotted into the JJ role immediately. He should start in place of Horford. That would immediately fix the starting lineup's offense.

[youngcrev]

He was always such a detriment defensively though, especially come playoff time. Coaches like Brad Stevens knew how to pick him apart. I agree about the DHOs though- I think Embiid especially relied on that element of the offense.

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

Outdated take. Korkmaz has been much improved on D this year. Plus he has the obvious size/length advantage over the smaller JJ.

There is no reason Kork shouldn't be slotted into the JJ role immediately. He should start in place of Horford. That would immediately fix the starting lineup's offense.

This feels like a pretty hot take after a great game from him. I'm not sure who is the worse defender, but you could live with JJ's defense because of his offense. Korkmaz just isn't anywhere near as good as Redick offensively. He's a necessity in the rotation because of the lack of shooters on the team, but IMO he's a guy they should be looking to upgrade on, not looking to promote.

[Arsenal]

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

Outdated take. Korkmaz has been much improved on D this year. Plus he has the obvious size/length advantage over the smaller JJ.

There is no reason Kork shouldn't be slotted into the JJ role immediately. He should start in place of Horford. That would immediately fix the starting lineup's offense.

This feels like a pretty hot take after a great game from him. I'm not sure who is the worse defender, but you could live with JJ's defense because of his offense. Korkmaz just isn't anywhere near as good as Redick offensively. He's a necessity in the rotation because of the lack of shooters on the team, but IMO he's a guy they should be looking to upgrade on, not looking to promote.

He's our only great shooter in a lineup totally devoid of them. I'm not saying he's as good as JJ yet, I'm saying his skillset is desperately needed in our spacing challenged starting lineup.

He's gotten better every year and is only 22 years old. He should continue to improve for several years.

And if they can find an upgrade somewhere (e.g. Horford trade), great. Until then he's the best option for the starting lineup to play with Embiid + Simmons once Joel is back.

[jstross]

Korkmaz' D has definitely improved. He's been drawing a decent number of chrges too. If he can stay at or around 39% from 3 he's definitely a decent piece. I don't see Thybulle staying over 40%, but if he does that would be incredible. Harris has to get his percentage up a few points.

[youngcrev]

Outdated take. Korkmaz has been much improved on D this year. Plus he has the obvious size/length advantage over the smaller JJ.

There is no reason Kork shouldn't be slotted into the JJ role immediately. He should start in place of Horford. That would immediately fix the starting lineup's offense.

This feels like a pretty hot take after a great game from him. I'm not sure who is the worse defender, but you could live with JJ's defense because of his offense. Korkmaz just isn't anywhere near as good as Redick offensively. He's a necessity in the rotation because of the lack of shooters on the team, but IMO he's a guy they should be looking to upgrade on, not looking to promote.

He's our only great shooter in a lineup totally devoid of them. I'm not saying he's as good as JJ yet, I'm saying his skillset is desperately needed in our spacing challenged starting lineup.

He's gotten better every year and is only 22 years old. He should continue to improve for several years.

And if they can find an upgrade somewhere (e.g. Horford trade), great. Until then he's the best option for the starting lineup to play with Embiid + Simmons once Joel is back.

Maybe. I've been in favor of taking Horford of the lineup pretty much since the day he signed, so I wouldn't be against it. I'd look at other guys first though (Thybulle, Scott if he ever gets out of this slump, maybe Ennis or Burke). I'm just not sure how playable Korkmaz is going to be against a good team in the playoffs.

[Arsenal]

This feels like a pretty hot take after a great game from him. I'm not sure who is the worse defender, but you could live with JJ's defense because of his offense. Korkmaz just isn't anywhere near as good as Redick offensively. He's a necessity in the rotation because of the lack of shooters on the team, but IMO he's a guy they should be looking to upgrade on, not looking to promote.

He's our only great shooter in a lineup totally devoid of them. I'm not saying he's as good as JJ yet, I'm saying his skillset is desperately needed in our spacing challenged starting lineup.

He's gotten better every year and is only 22 years old. He should continue to improve for several years.

And if they can find an upgrade somewhere (e.g. Horford trade), great. Until then he's the best option for the starting lineup to play with Embiid + Simmons once Joel is back.

Maybe. I've been in favor of taking Horford of the lineup pretty much since the day he signed, so I wouldn't be against it. I'd look at other guys first though (Thybulle, Scott if he ever gets out of this slump, maybe Ennis or Burke). I'm just not sure how playable Korkmaz is going to be against a good team in the playoffs.

I don't think our problems are on the defensive end when we are playing Embiid + Simmons. The defense will be great regardless of who else is on the court. Especially with Tobi's improvement on D this year, and JRich always being a solid or better defender. Worst comes to worst we can hide Kork on D just as we had to with JJ.

OTOH, it's absolutely vital to get a sharpshooter on the floor to balance the offense with those guys. Having Horford as the 5th starter with Embiid/Simmons/Harris/Richardson torpedoes our offense.

[sikma42]

If he doesnt respond to the coaching they either have to bench him or trade him. The way he is currently playing isnt going to work...

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.

This take is just wrong! Brett has routinely requested Ben to shoot at least one three a game and he refuses. And if anything brett ask the most from Ben out of all his players he just never applies it. Brett has put Ben on blast many times.

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[ropjhk]

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

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

They may not even get that far.

[Hussien Fatal]

If he doesnt respond to the coaching they either have to bench him or trade him. The way he is currently playing isnt going to work...

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.

This take is just wrong! Brett has routinely requested Ben to shoot at least one three a game and he refuses. And if anything brett ask the most from Ben out of all his players he just never applies it. Brett has put Ben on blast many times.

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The just gave him a max contract and you think it would be acceptable to bench him? If they do that he will be disgruntled and request a trade and they will get nothing in return. Benching him would work if he didn’t sign that contract and he was still on a rookie scale. Ben has his issues but right now I’m not complaining because he has been playing great ball recently. If he’s aggressive and more consistent his shooting or lack there of is less of a problem.

[GeorgeMarcus]

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.

Th Sixers are 104-49 in games Simmons/Embiid have played together. As much as I love Butler, he wasn't able to elevate the team for us once Embiid got injured. The reality is that he was a worse fit next to Simmons than Embiid is. The best possible duo would be Butler/Embiid, but given the difference in timeline the FO went in a different direction.

I think you're giving BB way too much credit, even though he's generally been a good locker room presence. He doesn't bring anything to the table as an offensive tactician, and that's been true throughout his tenure.

This timeline stuff is a trash excuse for a front office that tried to get Jimmy back on a discount. Jimmy would be as old as Horford is now at the end of a 4-5 yr deal.

If it were up to me, I would have kept Jimmy/Tobias and traded Ben for complimentary pieces. It's frustrating though because Ben is just oozing with upside that could be unlocked with a simple mental adjustment.

[IAMZOOTED2]

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 think we agree on many Sixer-related things, but is a new coach really going to solve fit issues? What would Billy Donavon, Greg Popp, or Scottie "sixer-for-life" Brooks do differently?

Certainly, a different coach would have different expectations of players which could result in better chemistry and possibly wins, too.

You cited plays out of time outs as one of your chief areas of disapproval, but Brown's play calls are not the problem. Not always, anyway. Execution by personnel is the issue. Not gonna lie, Stevens, Snyder, Kerr, and to lesser extents Budd and Nurse could probably get more from time outs and breaks... But they can't make the ball go in.

The organization is stuck right now. Even outsiders like me know Philly peeps loyal af, so Ben and Jo and BB all got stakes in the future there claimed. And the three have pasts that intertwine.

Maybe you could be more specific about what you think another coach could do playcalling-wise with their present roster. Certainly, more P&R with Jo. Maybe pick and roll Toby/Trey or other 2/3 or 3/4 combos. Your boy Mattisse has demonstrated some range and could work as both pick and pop or rolling, but his finishing is weak. They have the athletes, which means they're capable of running more actions, but can they handle an upgrade where complications mean there are screens on screeners' screeners'? Movement and space creation are nice ideas bandied about on websites like this... the question remains, can players handle sets like that?

What else strategy-wise do you think another coach would or could do... And for that matter, who would be good?

Personally, if they keep Jo maybe one (or both?) the van Gundys would work. Their systems are old, but far from antiquated and JVG has been putting in work for team USA.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

If he doesnt respond to the coaching they either have to bench him or trade him. The way he is currently playing isnt going to work...

This take is just wrong! Brett has routinely requested Ben to shoot at least one three a game and he refuses. And if anything brett ask the most from Ben out of all his players he just never applies it. Brett has put Ben on blast many times.

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The just gave him a max contract and you think it would be acceptable to bench him? If they do that he will be disgruntled and request a trade and they will get nothing in return. Benching him would work if he didn’t sign that contract and he was still on a rookie scale. Ben has his issues but right now I’m not complaining because he has been playing great ball recently. If he’s aggressive and more consistent his shooting or lack there of is less of a problem.

I think you have it backwards, they can bench him in the 4th of close games because they have control of his contract for the next 5 years. His extension has no player or team options, it's a straight 5 years, he has no power and demanding a trade would be met with laughs at this point. Players have control when they're 1-2 years away from free agency, not 5 years away. His lack of a shot is going to be a major problem in the playoffs, especially if they play someone like the Raptors who can matchup man to man with Embiid and have large forwards that won't need help defending Ben in the halfcourt, or even the Heat whose zone has clearly given the Sixers problems because of Ben's inability to score in the halfcourt.

[RoyceDa59]

Sixers don’t have the heart or character to win it all. No hate, just calling it like I see it.


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[HotelVitale]

Sixers don’t have the heart or character to win it all. No hate, just calling it like I see it.

That's not a 'call,' though, since it can sort of mean anything. Not telling us what the problem actually is or what the breakdown is. Plus the Sixers obviously play hard so it's not like that's the lack of 'heart' and they desperately want to win, and it's not like they're punks or cowards or anything. There are definitely many interesting things to criticize on them but you have to actually say what they are.

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

Eh, JJ was definitely that bad on defense, hard to believe you watched the last two elimination series and don't remember that queasy feeling whenever any Celtic or Raptor had Redick on him and some space to work in. Not saying Korkmaz will be better but Redick was indeed a problem, really couldn't stay in front of anybody. (Also gotta remember that Richardson took his place, Korkmaz is just the offense-first back-up that'll play situationally.)

[PennSports]

He was always such a detriment defensively though, especially come playoff time. Coaches like Brad Stevens knew how to pick him apart. I agree about the DHOs though- I think Embiid especially relied on that element of the offense.

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

Outdated take. Korkmaz has been much improved on D this year. Plus he has the obvious size/length advantage over the smaller JJ.

There is no reason Kork shouldn't be slotted into the JJ role immediately. He should start in place of Horford. That would immediately fix the starting lineup's offense.

improving from completely unplayable does not make him a dependable or better option. If anyone is being slotted into the starting lineup it will be Matisse but that won't happen because its a bad look to bench your "prized" free agent signee.

He has had a good year for us but it is beyond damning that he is our best shooter when he was a step and a half out of the league this offseason.

[Tomjas]

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

Outdated take. Korkmaz has been much improved on D this year. Plus he has the obvious size/length advantage over the smaller JJ.

There is no reason Kork shouldn't be slotted into the JJ role immediately. He should start in place of Horford. That would immediately fix the starting lineup's offense.

improving from completely unplayable does not make him a dependable or better option. If anyone is being slotted into the starting lineup it will be Matisse but that won't happen because its a bad look to bench your "prized" free agent signee.

He has had a good year for us but it is beyond damning that he is our best shooter when he was a step and a half out of the league this offseason.

Such a strange franchise

Declined his option then started playing him

Pick up Burke’s guarantee when he’s playing well then bench him

Almost kill Smith, he recovers and looks okay but is nowhere to be seen

I could go on

At this rate, the best thing that could happen is for Simmons and Embiid to request trades as Ben will instantly morph into a 3pt chucker while Joel will be durable

At least it’s not boring

[Arsenal]

JJ was not as bad on D as people say, especially so in the most recent playoffs. If you think that was bad wait for Korkmaz to take his place vs anyone, he might not be playable past the first round and he is our best shooter.

Outdated take. Korkmaz has been much improved on D this year. Plus he has the obvious size/length advantage over the smaller JJ.

There is no reason Kork shouldn't be slotted into the JJ role immediately. He should start in place of Horford. That would immediately fix the starting lineup's offense.

improving from completely unplayable does not make him a dependable or better option. If anyone is being slotted into the starting lineup it will be Matisse but that won't happen because its a bad look to bench your "prized" free agent signee.

He has had a good year for us but it is beyond damning that he is our best shooter when he was a step and a half out of the league this offseason.

Straw man. It's irrelevant what he was last year or the year before (when he was 20/21 years old and injured). What matters is that NOW he is our best option for the starting lineup.

[sfernald]

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

To everyone has been hating on Simmons this season:

Foff