Marc Stein: Toronto has expressed interest in Ben Simmons

[Gavin_TDThree]

As other's have said, it's not that he can't shoot, it's that he outright won't shoot. One thing from Nick Nurses book that I thought was really interesting was that Pascal had the desire to improve and was willing to put in the work. From there Nurse kept encouraging and pushing him to shoot more and improve his overall game.

I don't know if Simmons is the kind of guy who'd be willing to put in the work that it takes to be great. We all look good in an open gym with no-one around. If only he'd take these shots in the playoffs when the lights are brightest

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He's been in the league 5 years and his free throw form is still super clunky.

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[Gavin_TDThree]

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The Kings seem like the most likely franchise to overpay for Ben. The reports that they won't include Haliburton or Fox though is fantastic.

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[OakleyDokely]

Simmons has Embiid sitting behind him. Any defensive credit he gets has to be discounted slightly based on playing with one of the best lane intimidators in the game. The accolades are pretty meaningless. Relative to the defenders that Toronto currently has Simmons wouldn't have any impact.

You must have not seen him defend Kawhi and PG13 in the same game. That was 2 seasons ago. Stan Van Gundy was commenting. He had a triple double in that game too. It was incredible to watch.

It has nothing to do with Embiid. Physically he just built different and mentally he wants to shut the opposition down.

The biggest issue with Simmons defensively is he doesn't defend bigs (doesn't want to defend bigs?) which limits his overall versatility. For this reason, he will never be as valuable defensively as OG who can defend 1-5.

[ash_k]

Simmons has Embiid sitting behind him. Any defensive credit he gets has to be discounted slightly based on playing with one of the best lane intimidators in the game. The accolades are pretty meaningless. Relative to the defenders that Toronto currently has Simmons wouldn't have any impact.

You must have not seen him defend Kawhi and PG13 in the same game. That was 2 seasons ago. Stan Van Gundy was commenting. He had a triple double in that game too. It was incredible to watch.

It has nothing to do with Embiid. Physically he just built different and mentally he wants to shut the opposition down.

The biggest issue with Simmons defensively is he doesn't defend bigs (doesn't want to defend bigs?) which limits his overall versatility. For this reason, he will never be as valuable defensively as OG who can defend 1-5.

He defends everybody though. Bigs and small. He is an extremely physical player :His first love in sport is Australian rules football, that's all you really need to know.

[WuTang_CMB]

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ya GS doesnt really make sense. Philly wants a win now player.

[OakleyDokely]

You must have not seen him defend Kawhi and PG13 in the same game. That was 2 seasons ago. Stan Van Gundy was commenting. He had a triple double in that game too. It was incredible to watch.

It has nothing to do with Embiid. Physically he just built different and mentally he wants to shut the opposition down.

The biggest issue with Simmons defensively is he doesn't defend bigs (doesn't want to defend bigs?) which limits his overall versatility. For this reason, he will never be as valuable defensively as OG who can defend 1-5.

He defends everybody though. Bigs and small. He is an extremely physical player :His first love in sport is Australian rules football, that's all you really need to know.

He's primarily a guard/wing defender though. Rarely does he defend bigs.

[WuTang_CMB]

The situation looking bleak for Morey

I think if Toronto really wants him, we could get him if Masai was aggressive ... just doubt it happens

dont think we are parting with any of FVV, OG, Siakam, Precious, Barnes and Trent cant be traded.

Seems a 3 way deal might be realistic for Philly.

[ash_k]

Simmons has Embiid sitting behind him. Any defensive credit he gets has to be discounted slightly based on playing with one of the best lane intimidators in the game. The accolades are pretty meaningless. Relative to the defenders that Toronto currently has Simmons wouldn't have any impact.

You must have not seen him defend Kawhi and PG13 in the same game. That was 2 seasons ago. Stan Van Gundy was commenting. He had a triple double in that game too. It was incredible to watch.

It has nothing to do with Embiid. Physically he just built different and mentally he wants to shut the opposition down.

The comment about Embiid is that everyone can play tighter with him sitting in the paint. We watched Stanley Johnson shut down Kawhi, so what? Defense is cheap. The Raptors already have Siakam/OG/Barnes here long-term. The appeal to acquiring Simmons was pre-draft and with Siakam and Nurse on the fritz. That's over now.

Unfortunately for Stanley is one thing to shutdown Kawhi, It is totally another universe when you can shut down Kawhi while being a triple double threat in everygame, with the skills and stamina it takes. We all wish Stanley had that in him .
There is still the Fred VanVleet angle like we have discussed. Our positionless players will not be traded. Vice Chairman has traded our last 2 leaders. He is in a good position to trade our current leader (FVV).

[everdiso]

Simmons has Embiid sitting behind him. Any defensive credit he gets has to be discounted slightly based on playing with one of the best lane intimidators in the game. The accolades are pretty meaningless. Relative to the defenders that Toronto currently has Simmons wouldn't have any impact.

You must have not seen him defend Kawhi and PG13 in the same game. That was 2 seasons ago. Stan Van Gundy was commenting. He had a triple double in that game too. It was incredible to watch.

It has nothing to do with Embiid. Physically he just built different and mentally he wants to shut the opposition down.

The biggest issue with Simmons defensively is he doesn't defend bigs (doesn't want to defend bigs?) which limits his overall versatility. For this reason, he will never be as valuable defensively as OG who can defend 1-5.

Indeed - it's hard to overstate how much easier Embiid makes things for him both offensively and defensively.

[ash_k]

The biggest issue with Simmons defensively is he doesn't defend bigs (doesn't want to defend bigs?) which limits his overall versatility. For this reason, he will never be as valuable defensively as OG who can defend 1-5.

He defends everybody though. Bigs and small. He is an extremely physical player :His first love in sport is Australian rules football, that's all you really need to know.

He's primarily a guard/wing defender though. Rarely does he defend bigs.

best perimeter in the league, but he has no issues defending the bigs on switches. none.

[Knucknbuc]

Ben Simmons sucks why y’all want him is beyond me. Lmaooo guy can shoot or score if it’s not a layup defensively we have two guys that are at least on par with him or pretty close in siakam and og… who you know can actually score and aren’t complete useless on that end. Oh and also we have a guy who has potential to be just as good in Scottie Barnes. Simmons isn’t coming here he’s overrated and not good lol so who do you guys expect to score if u trade for Simmons? Or are we just going to hope to hold the team below 75 every game?

Glorified Lamar Odom. Pass. Thank god Masai isn’t a fool like half the board


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[Dennis 37]

You must have not seen him defend Kawhi and PG13 in the same game. That was 2 seasons ago. Stan Van Gundy was commenting. He had a triple double in that game too. It was incredible to watch.

It has nothing to do with Embiid. Physically he just built different and mentally he wants to shut the opposition down.

The biggest issue with Simmons defensively is he doesn't defend bigs (doesn't want to defend bigs?) which limits his overall versatility. For this reason, he will never be as valuable defensively as OG who can defend 1-5.

Indeed - it's hard to overstate how much easier Embiid makes things for him both offensively and defensively.

Can't discount this.

[Morse Code]

Don’t want this guy on our team even if he comes free. His contract is absurd, I don’t want to do Morey ANY favours, and there’s the obvious fact that he’s a complete liability offensively. Hard pass.

[Los_29]

Simmons contract is brutal and he clearly gives off some diva vibes but I'd love to buy low on him. But there is no way Morey trades him to us for peanuts especially how Masai completely bodied him at the deadline.

Philly is in a tough spot because they need to win now given Embiid's health and durability. Unfortunately every team in the league watched the playoffs this year and as a result, they aren't willing to part with any good players and I don't think teams are willing to give up much draft capital for him either.

Cap filler and a couple FRP's is all I'd offer. Anything more is just not worth it.

[tecumseh18]

Simmons finished second in defensive player of the year voting and has been on two all NBA defensive teams. Just putting things into perspective.

Neither Siakam nor Simmons is good enough to be no.1 option. But Siakam was part of the core that beat the sixers in PO and won a championship. Simmons as a member of sixers core has never even gone to conference final. Just a little perspective. Man I'm not even a Siakam fan!

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I never claimed either one is good enough to be a first option. The whole point is that you can’t use 1 all NBA 2nd team selection to argue that Siakim is better than Simmons and then completely ignore that Simmons has two all defensive team selections and finished second in defensive player of the year. It’s entirely dependent on team needs but we can be objective with our assessment

You're missing the point. This is all reaction to the above clip where Nick basically says Sixers shouldn't stoop to considering Siakam plus as a return. That's completely bogus.

Siakam and Simmons are at least comparable players. Siakam's defence (while he was still recovering from his shin injury suffered in the Sixers series) was essential to winning the Bucks series in 2019.

[vulture]

Neither Siakam nor Simmons is good enough to be no.1 option. But Siakam was part of the core that beat the sixers in PO and won a championship. Simmons as a member of sixers core has never even gone to conference final. Just a little perspective. Man I'm not even a Siakam fan!

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I never claimed either one is good enough to be a first option. The whole point is that you can’t use 1 all NBA 2nd team selection to argue that Siakim is better than Simmons and then completely ignore that Simmons has two all defensive team selections and finished second in defensive player of the year. It’s entirely dependent on team needs but we can be objective with our assessment

You're missing the point. This is all reaction to the above clip where Nick basically says Sixers shouldn't stoop to considering Siakam plus as a return. That's completely bogus.

Siakam and Simmons are at least comparable players. Siakam's defence (while he was still recovering from his shin injury suffered in the Sixers series) was essential to winning the Bucks series in 2019.

they really are comparable players and it's just that Simmons is more popular because he was a #1 pick.
Pascal is the better offensive player and Simmons is the better defensive player, but they are very close.

[ATLTimekeeper]

You must have not seen him defend Kawhi and PG13 in the same game. That was 2 seasons ago. Stan Van Gundy was commenting. He had a triple double in that game too. It was incredible to watch.

It has nothing to do with Embiid. Physically he just built different and mentally he wants to shut the opposition down.

The biggest issue with Simmons defensively is he doesn't defend bigs (doesn't want to defend bigs?) which limits his overall versatility. For this reason, he will never be as valuable defensively as OG who can defend 1-5.

He defends everybody though. Bigs and small. He is an extremely physical player :His first love in sport is Australian rules football, that's all you really need to know.

He's the same guy that challenged Kyle to a fight after a game and then hid in the locker room while Kyle waited in the hallway. That's all you really need to know about his toughness. Can I guard the occasional C on a switch? Sure. Should I be a full-time back-up C when Embiid is on the bench? Nope.

[vini_vidi_vici]

He defends everybody though. Bigs and small. He is an extremely physical player :His first love in sport is Australian rules football, that's all you really need to know.

He's primarily a guard/wing defender though. Rarely does he defend bigs.

best perimeter in the league, but he has no issues defending the bigs on switches. none.

Id ask to show your work, but no doubt its anecdotal.



He gets torched by Cs.



And if it wasnt for the fact that (and for reasons we dont know) "stretch bigs" miss open shots at a high clip it would be even worse.

[OAKLEY_2]

The situation looking bleak for Morey

I think if Toronto really wants him, we could get him if Masai was aggressive ... just doubt it happens

dont think we are parting with any of FVV, OG, Siakam, Precious, Barnes and Trent cant be traded.

Seems a 3 way deal might be realistic for Philly.

If we packaged Fred, Dragic, Boucher and two FRPs for Ben, Jaden Springer, Seth Curry I might consider a Simmons deal. Competing for PG w/be Malachi, Springer, Banton, Johnson and Ben Simmons....

[vini_vidi_vici]

Its also odd people gloss over the fact that Embiid is a factor (considering he is IMO the best defender in the L), and a big factor they locked up Kawhi in our title run.

With Embiid off and Simmons on last yr, the DRTG inflates 6.5 points per 100, and the NetRTG drops 19.3 points per 100. And thats with atleast a capable back up in Dwight (behind Embiid). In that time hes a 54.8 TS%. With no Simmons the Sixers are also a +2.6 NET.

Id love to see Ben without Embiid, so we dont have to speculate on small samples though.