Around The League: 2021-2022 Season 2.0

[FireMorey]

“If, if,if”

Yawn.

There was no if in the post lol. I stated facts.

Talk about a blind agenda.

Talk about being purposely obtuse

Don’t know why I even engaged this borderline troll account.

Was not being obtuse at all. I explained why I thought your rationale made zero sense and put into context how competitive the Sixers were against the Heat with Embiid only for 4 games of a 6 games series without him healthy, and analyzed if it made sense that a healthy Sixers wouldn’t be competitive against a Celtics team(as you claimed). Using my rationale as I laid out, I showed why to me that didn’t make any sense.

Then instead of countering with a point of your own to explain why you disagreed, responded with a weak “if if if sigh”

Then when I explained that my post wasn’t a hypothetical at all and everything I used was based off of what we actually saw on the court with the Heat, you use an ad hominem and again refuse to make any counter point.

I’d say it looks like you’re the one trolling, if anything, and that you really have had no point to make at all.

[Iverson Armband]

There was no if in the post lol. I stated facts.

Talk about a blind agenda.

Talk about being purposely obtuse

Don’t know why I even engaged this borderline troll account.

Was not being obtuse at all. I explained why I thought your rationale made zero sense and put into context how competitive the Sixers were against the Heat with Embiid only for 4 games of a 6 games series without him healthy, and analyzed if it made sense that a healthy Sixers wouldn’t be competitive against a Celtics team(as you claimed). Using my rationale as I laid out, I showed why to me that didn’t make any sense.

Then instead of countering with a point of your own to explain why you disagreed, responded with a weak “if if if sigh”

Then when I explained that my post wasn’t a hypothetical at all and everything I used was based off of what we actually saw on the court with the Heat, you use an ad hominem and again refuse to make any counter point.

I’d say it looks like you’re the one trolling, if anything, and that you really have had no point to make at all.

What ever point you thought you were making wasn’t worth adressing seriously, sorry to break it to you.

You keep mentioning Embiid’s injury, that’s all fine and good, but you can’t realistically expect him to dominate against Horford consistently who is extremely stout and traditionally plays him very well. Joel is great but he can only do but so much. Not to mention the fact that we should actually be moving away from forcing the issue with him offensively… which brings us to Harden. You think the Harden we watched this playoffs, who couldn’t get by Malachi f’ing Flynn, was going to do anything of significance against Jalen Brown or Marcus Smart? Please say yes, so I can officially mark you off as a troll

Obviously Maxey isn’t quite ready yet, god bless ‘em.

Do I even need to mention Tobias Harris or are we still feigning ignorance?

Moving off of that, explain to me how a team with literally no wings is guarding TWO star calibur wings in Tatum/Brown? How is a slow, unathletic team getting out-hustled by PJ Tucker doing anything with a human pogo stick like Robert Williams? Please, humor me and explain how Joel’s eye and thumb are fixing all of those problems.

But of course, you knew all of this. Like I said, purposely obtuse, troll or both.

[FireMorey]

Talk about being purposely obtuse

Don’t know why I even engaged this borderline troll account.

Was not being obtuse at all. I explained why I thought your rationale made zero sense and put into context how competitive the Sixers were against the Heat with Embiid only for 4 games of a 6 games series without him healthy, and analyzed if it made sense that a healthy Sixers wouldn’t be competitive against a Celtics team(as you claimed). Using my rationale as I laid out, I showed why to me that didn’t make any sense.

Then instead of countering with a point of your own to explain why you disagreed, responded with a weak “if if if sigh”

Then when I explained that my post wasn’t a hypothetical at all and everything I used was based off of what we actually saw on the court with the Heat, you use an ad hominem and again refuse to make any counter point.

I’d say it looks like you’re the one trolling, if anything, and that you really have had no point to make at all.

What ever point you thought you were making wasn’t worth adressing seriously, sorry to break it to you.

You keep mentioning Embiid’s injury, that’s all fine and good, but you can’t realistically expect him to dominate against Horford consistently who is extremely stout and traditionally plays him very well. Joel is great but he can only do but so much. Not to mention the fact that we should actually be moving away from forcing the issue with him offensively… which brings us to Harden. You think the Harden we watched this playoffs, who couldn’t get by Malachi f’ing Flynn, was going to do anything of significance against Jalen Brown or Marcus Smart? Please say yes, so I can officially mark you off as a troll

Do I even need to mention Tobias Harris or are we still feigning ignorance?

Obviously Maxey isn’t quite ready yet, god bless ‘em.

Moving off of that, explain to me how a team with literally no wings is guarding TWO star calibur wings in Tatum/Brown? How is a team getting out-hustled by PJ Tucker doing anything with a human pogo stick like Robert Williams? Please, humor me.

But of course, you knew all of this. Like I said, purposely obtuse, troll or both.

Your post is basically "if you disagree with me, you're a troll" which in and of itself is trollish.

Embiid actually plays pretty well against Horford and is by far the more talented and superior player. You're asking why I think Embiid could have his way against a player he's way better than? Is that a serious question? The answer, because Embiid is the best player in the league and Horford isn't close to it. I think that's as good of an answer as any.

I don't think Harden struggled to get by people as much as everyone thinks. He lacked vertical burst more than anything, he got by people just fine. Not 2016 Harden fine, but decent enough. With as much as Harden struggled at times, he was still effective running the offense, and with a healthy Embiid would have more room to operate. They still split with the #1 seeded Heat 2-2 with Embiid on the floor completely unhealthy with Harden. If his game was as bad as you stated, they wouldn't have split with Embiid as a shell of himself. And you conveniently leave out how he won them game 4 basically.

Tobias Harris is fine, I've gone through this.

Maxey "not quite ready" whatever that means, he played pretty damn well... do you mean to dominate games? Because he doesn't have to for the Sixers to get to an NBA Finals. He can just be really good, which he already is. And at the rate he's improving it's totally realistic to think he'll take his game to another level next year.

How can a team with no wings guard Tatum and Brown? For one, I think people overrate both. Two, they could beat them even if they did get theirs.

Hustle is a game to game thing. Boston got out-hustled by Tucker too. And in games 3 and 4 the Sixers out-hustled Miami. Acting like the Sixers got out-hustled all series simply isn't true and is recency bias.

I made a very simple take and for some reason you've chosen to be very combative about it. It's funny that with all the supposed flaws the Sixers have again, with a broken Embiid on the court, they still split the series with the #1 seed Heat. You seem to be glossing over that like it's meaningless.

[Iverson Armband]

Was not being obtuse at all. I explained why I thought your rationale made zero sense and put into context how competitive the Sixers were against the Heat with Embiid only for 4 games of a 6 games series without him healthy, and analyzed if it made sense that a healthy Sixers wouldn’t be competitive against a Celtics team(as you claimed). Using my rationale as I laid out, I showed why to me that didn’t make any sense.

Then instead of countering with a point of your own to explain why you disagreed, responded with a weak “if if if sigh”

Then when I explained that my post wasn’t a hypothetical at all and everything I used was based off of what we actually saw on the court with the Heat, you use an ad hominem and again refuse to make any counter point.

I’d say it looks like you’re the one trolling, if anything, and that you really have had no point to make at all.

What ever point you thought you were making wasn’t worth adressing seriously, sorry to break it to you.

You keep mentioning Embiid’s injury, that’s all fine and good, but you can’t realistically expect him to dominate against Horford consistently who is extremely stout and traditionally plays him very well. Joel is great but he can only do but so much. Not to mention the fact that we should actually be moving away from forcing the issue with him offensively… which brings us to Harden. You think the Harden we watched this playoffs, who couldn’t get by Malachi f’ing Flynn, was going to do anything of significance against Jalen Brown or Marcus Smart? Please say yes, so I can officially mark you off as a troll

Do I even need to mention Tobias Harris or are we still feigning ignorance?

Obviously Maxey isn’t quite ready yet, god bless ‘em.

Moving off of that, explain to me how a team with literally no wings is guarding TWO star calibur wings in Tatum/Brown? How is a team getting out-hustled by PJ Tucker doing anything with a human pogo stick like Robert Williams? Please, humor me.

But of course, you knew all of this. Like I said, purposely obtuse, troll or both.

Your post is basically "if you disagree with me, you're a troll" which in and of itself is trollish.

Embiid actually plays pretty well against Horford and is by far the more talented and superior player. You're asking why I think Embiid could have his way against a player he's way better than? Is that a serious question? The answer, because Embiid is the best player in the league and Horford isn't close to it. I think that's as good of an answer as any.

I don't think Harden struggled to get by people as much as everyone thinks. He lacked vertical burst more than anything, he got by people just fine. Not 2016 Harden fine, but decent enough. With as much as Harden struggled at times, he was still effective running the offense, and with a healthy Embiid would have more room to operate. They still split with the #1 seeded Heat 2-2 with Embiid on the floor completely unhealthy with Harden. If his game was as bad as you stated, they wouldn't have split with Embiid as a shell of himself. And you conveniently leave out how he won them game 4 basically.

Tobias Harris is fine, I've gone through this.

Maxey "not quite ready" whatever that means, he played pretty damn well... do you mean to dominate games? Because he doesn't have to for the Sixers to get to an NBA Finals. He can just be really good, which he already is. And at the rate he's improving it's totally realistic to think he'll take his game to another level next year.

How can a team with no wings guard Tatum and Brown? For one, I think people overrate both. Two, they could beat them even if they did get theirs.

Hustle is a game to game thing. Boston got out-hustled by Tucker too. And in games 3 and 4 the Sixers out-hustled Miami. Acting like the Sixers got out-hustled all series simply isn't true and is recency bias.

I made a very simple take and for some reason you've chosen to be very combative about it. It's funny that with all the supposed flaws the Sixers have again, with a broken Embiid on the court, they still split the series with the #1 seed Heat. You seem to be glossing over that like it's meaningless.

So your argument is basically all Boston’s players are overrated, and all Sixers players are underrated. That’s some next level analysis right there.

Also not sure how PJ Tucker out hustling Boston has anything to do with a potential series against us, since we don’t even play anyone close to approaching PJ status grit wise. Boston won two game 7s ON THE ROAD, we couldn’t even be competitive in a game 6 at home and you sit here with a straight face and tell me we’re in the same class as them.

Yeah, I’m out.

[FireMorey]

Not what I said at all, but yeah, it’s best you tap out of this one. You haven’t done a very good job of understanding or making much sense. And frankly you’ve been condescending and rude on top of it.

[HardenGoat]

Didn’t help having Green go down as well. A big part of post season success has to do with luck in the form of injuries. Nets would have won last year if they stayed healthy. That’s simply a fact. I find it funny when fans use the outcomes as 20/20 vision to narrate what teams should not have done or should have done differently. Obviously it was a long shot this season to win it all when Simmons sat out the entire year forcing a mid season trade. When that happens there is an assimilation that has to occur with the core of the team. This team was projected to be a second round exit even with Simmons at the start. In my view they overachieved with the MVP level play of Embiid and the next level step up of Maxey. Harden was not at his best coming off an injury that required him to rest. There’s a lot of positive things to expect going forward. Embiid had his surgeries. Harden can focus on getting himself 100 percent. The team can actually practice together. Holes can be filled regarding the wing and backup center positions. The team will be a legit contender this year, hopefully we will get some good luck to boot.

[FireMorey]

Didn’t help having Green go down as well. A big part of post season success has to do with luck in the form of injuries. Nets would have won last year if they stayed healthy. That’s simply a fact. I find it funny when fans use the outcomes as 20/20 vision to narrate what teams should not have done or should have done differently. Obviously it was a long shot this season to win it all when Simmons sat out the entire year forcing a mid season trade. When that happens there is an assimilation that has to occur with the core of the team. This team was projected to be a second round exit even with Simmons at the start. In my view they overachieved with the MVP level play of Embiid and the next level step up of Maxey. Harden was not at his best coming off an injury that required him to rest. There’s a lot of positive things to expect going forward. Embiid had his surgeries. Harden can focus on getting himself 100 percent. The team can actually practice together. Holes can be filled regarding the wing and backup center positions. The team will be a legit contender this year, hopefully we will get some good luck to boot.

The Sixers:

-Dealt with the Simmons nonsense all year like you said. Not only in the locker room and dealing with that, but didn't have one of their best players for like 70% of the season.

-Had a COVID breakout where Embiid missed several games, where the Sixers then plummeted in the standings.

-Finished a mere 2 games out of first place with all of that.

-Took the #1 seed to 6 games, 2 of which their best player didn't play, the other 4 they split and Embiid couldn't shoot, pass, dribble, grip the ball, or be physical down low because if he got hit in the face with a hard blow he could severely damage his eye permanently. The 2 playoff games they did have with a healthy Embiid, they absolutely crushed the Raptors--a team that gave them fits all season.

And somehow people are more down on the Sixers now than they were this time a year ago. I simply don't get it. Like I said a few days ago, it's this whoa is me attitude Sixers fans have developed after years of losing. There are no current super teams, Embiid continues to get better, Maxey continues to get better. We'll see how Harden performs with a full offseason to actually train and you hope his hamstring was an issue and he'll look more explosive next season. Cross your fingers Windhorst was right when he said Morey has some plan to land a star. If not, at the very least you hope he fills out the bench. Sixers fans have all the reason in the world to be optimistic.

[76ciology]

What happened to Zach Collins? Is he healthy now? I remember how Kobble and I used to like him in the draft. He would be a good fit on this team if he is healthy and didn’t take a stepback to his game

[mjkvol]

Didn’t help having Green go down as well. A big part of post season success has to do with luck in the form of injuries. Nets would have won last year if they stayed healthy. That’s simply a fact. I find it funny when fans use the outcomes as 20/20 vision to narrate what teams should not have done or should have done differently. Obviously it was a long shot this season to win it all when Simmons sat out the entire year forcing a mid season trade. When that happens there is an assimilation that has to occur with the core of the team. This team was projected to be a second round exit even with Simmons at the start. In my view they overachieved with the MVP level play of Embiid and the next level step up of Maxey. Harden was not at his best coming off an injury that required him to rest. There’s a lot of positive things to expect going forward. Embiid had his surgeries. Harden can focus on getting himself 100 percent. The team can actually practice together. Holes can be filled regarding the wing and backup center positions. The team will be a legit contender this year, hopefully we will get some good luck to boot.

The Sixers:

-Dealt with the Simmons nonsense all year like you said. Not only in the locker room and dealing with that, but didn't have one of their best players for like 70% of the season.

-Had a COVID breakout where Embiid missed several games, where the Sixers then plummeted in the standings.

-Finished a mere 2 games out of first place with all of that.

-Took the #1 seed to 6 games, 2 of which their best player didn't play, the other 4 they split and Embiid couldn't shoot, pass, dribble, grip the ball, or be physical down low because if he got hit in the face with a hard blow he could severely damage his eye permanently. The 2 playoff games they did have with a healthy Embiid, they absolutely crushed the Raptors--a team that gave them fits all season.

And somehow people are more down on the Sixers now than they were this time a year ago. I simply don't get it. Like I said a few days ago, it's this whoa is me attitude Sixers fans have developed after years of losing. There are no current super teams, Embiid continues to get better, Maxey continues to get better. We'll see how Harden performs with a full offseason to actually train and you hope his hamstring was an issue and he'll look more explosive next season. Cross your fingers Windhorst was right when he said Morey has some plan to land a star. If not, at the very least you hope he fills out the bench. Sixers fans have all the reason in the world to be optimistic.

I don't think everyone is as down on the Sixers as you're making it seem like. There are some that have legitimate concerns given Harden's age and Embiid's injury history, but I'm not sure anyone here (aside from a few who have agendas) will be pessimistic if Morey gets done what he needs to this summer by tightening the bench, jettisoning the dead weight, and adding some athleticism and versatility to the rotation. And of course if Harden comes to camp in shape and injury free.

[Kobblehead]

If/when the Celtics win the Finals and Jayson Tatum is awarded Finals MVP, does Jaylen Brown come to the realization that he'll never escape the shadow of the guy drafted the year AFTER him and want to go somewhere else and be the man on his own team?

[Kobblehead]

What happened to Zach Collins? Is he healthy now? I remember how Kobble and I used to like him in the draft. He would be a good fit on this team if he is healthy and didn’t take a stepback to his game

He's back now. Finished out the final 25+ games of the season with the Spurs. Had great numbers on both ends of the court. It's just an issue with durability and how much you can trust a guy with his injury history.

[sixers4real]

If/when the Celtics win the Finals and Jayson Tatum is awarded Finals MVP, does Jaylen Brown come to the realization that he'll never escape the shadow of the guy drafted the year AFTER him and want to go somewhere else and be the man on his own team?

I’m betting on the opposite. Jaylen Brown wins FMVP

[Kobblehead]

Given how a part of public consciousness discussions about Finals MVP impacting legacy has been (based on Steph), I think voters will just play it safe and give it to Tatum because he's the best player.

[Foshan]

Given how a part of public consciousness discussions about Finals MVP impacting legacy has been (based on Steph), I think voters will just play it safe and give it to Tatum because he's the best player.

Tatum has been texting Kobe. No way that narrative doesnt win the mvp.

[Negrodamus]

I'm guessing Warriors in 5 games, maybe 4.

Steph, Klay, and Green as the continuity base of this team is what makes this lopsided in my mind. Draymond and Wiggins will, at minimum, give Tatum and Brown hell on defense. Will Smart, Horford, Grant Williams, and Derrick White supplement their scoring if they have issues?

Will the Celtics be able to slow down Steph when he's going outside of his mind? How about Klay if he goes nuts? Even Jordan Poole is dropping 18 a game this playoffs.

Celtics have looked good in the latter part of the regular season and through this playoffs, but they're getting a champion vet team on about a week of rest. This after back to back grueling seven game series. It's going to be a challenge to steal even one away game from GSW.

Idiot.

[Rastas]

Given how a part of public consciousness discussions about Finals MVP impacting legacy has been (based on Steph), I think voters will just play it safe and give it to Tatum because he's the best player.

Nope - we all have eyes , Brown is leading FMVP at the moment.

Even Tatum's best scoring game was full of black hole ball hogging that led to countless turnovers that shifted momentum to the Warriors and gave the Cs the Loss.

However he still has at least 2 more games to put his nose in front - lets see .

[FireMorey]

Didn’t help having Green go down as well. A big part of post season success has to do with luck in the form of injuries. Nets would have won last year if they stayed healthy. That’s simply a fact. I find it funny when fans use the outcomes as 20/20 vision to narrate what teams should not have done or should have done differently. Obviously it was a long shot this season to win it all when Simmons sat out the entire year forcing a mid season trade. When that happens there is an assimilation that has to occur with the core of the team. This team was projected to be a second round exit even with Simmons at the start. In my view they overachieved with the MVP level play of Embiid and the next level step up of Maxey. Harden was not at his best coming off an injury that required him to rest. There’s a lot of positive things to expect going forward. Embiid had his surgeries. Harden can focus on getting himself 100 percent. The team can actually practice together. Holes can be filled regarding the wing and backup center positions. The team will be a legit contender this year, hopefully we will get some good luck to boot.

The Sixers:

-Dealt with the Simmons nonsense all year like you said. Not only in the locker room and dealing with that, but didn't have one of their best players for like 70% of the season.

-Had a COVID breakout where Embiid missed several games, where the Sixers then plummeted in the standings.

-Finished a mere 2 games out of first place with all of that.

-Took the #1 seed to 6 games, 2 of which their best player didn't play, the other 4 they split and Embiid couldn't shoot, pass, dribble, grip the ball, or be physical down low because if he got hit in the face with a hard blow he could severely damage his eye permanently. The 2 playoff games they did have with a healthy Embiid, they absolutely crushed the Raptors--a team that gave them fits all season.

And somehow people are more down on the Sixers now than they were this time a year ago. I simply don't get it. Like I said a few days ago, it's this whoa is me attitude Sixers fans have developed after years of losing. There are no current super teams, Embiid continues to get better, Maxey continues to get better. We'll see how Harden performs with a full offseason to actually train and you hope his hamstring was an issue and he'll look more explosive next season. Cross your fingers Windhorst was right when he said Morey has some plan to land a star. If not, at the very least you hope he fills out the bench. Sixers fans have all the reason in the world to be optimistic.

I don't think everyone is as down on the Sixers as you're making it seem like. There are some that have legitimate concerns given Harden's age and Embiid's injury history, but I'm not sure anyone here (aside from a few who have agendas) will be pessimistic if Morey gets done what he needs to this summer by tightening the bench, jettisoning the dead weight, and adding some athleticism and versatility to the rotation. And of course if Harden comes to camp in shape and injury free.

Spike Eskin on the Ricky said last night that this is the lowest feeling he's had during the process era since Hinkie was fired.

And I've heard and seen several people say they feel at their lowest.

Of course there are concerns though, every team has concerns.

[Negrodamus]

Weird, I'm feeling pretty good about the Sixers. They just need to hit on some role players this summer, but the Harden, Maxey, Embiid core is pretty ridiculous.

[Jailblazers7]

I’m not overly pessimistic about this squad but Boston would have beat our ass lol. We won two games because Heat played the corpse of Kyle Lowry and lost in short work after he was benched. Embiid playoff injuries almost have to be assumed at this point so I can’t point to that as a “what if”. The reality is that we have basically nothing at the wings (Tobias is a PF), which is the most important position in the NBA. While the Celtics have the best wing duo in the league

I think we have a path to the title next year but it’s narrow and depends on landing some playable wings in a playoff series. If that doesn’t happen, we’re probably gonna need a full health, playing at peak Embiid/Harden to have a shot.

[ProcessDoctor]

Weird, I'm feeling pretty good about the Sixers. They just need to hit on some role players this summer, but the Harden, Maxey, Embiid core is pretty ridiculous.

I've had the same feelings over the last week or so. I still think we need to improve in several areas, but I don't think we're as broken as I initially thought.