The whole thing reeks of silly and petty vindictiveness. And if they truly do have an issue with him, why suddenly wait until more than halfway through the season to do it in the way they did?
It would make the Cs much better as well.
lol... that trade would make the 76ers unstoppable.
Surely, you jest.
Ben Simmons game makes shooters better. Cs don’t have a presence that clogs the lane. Simmons can get downhill and finish or kick to a shooter with ease. He assisted on more 3s than anybody else in the league last season. With Simmons on the squad vs not on the squad Harris Green and Curry all shot better from 3 because of the quality of shots Simmons gets them. You’d be trading one current 36% shooter and a career 37.5% shooter to make the other shooters on your team that much better. Plus you get perimeter defense the Cs lack and a guy who can play small ball 5. Simmons definitely makes the Cs better. I’m not sure what else you think the Cs can add for Brown that would be better. Beal? That’s the same thing as Tatum/Brown. Why get older to get same same? I don’t see it.
I do disagree. This isn’t me trying to sell you on a bill of goods. I really think he makes a lot of teams better including the Sixers and Celtics. If you sag on Simmons you actually give him space to get downhill. What has quelled Simmons is the Embiid pairing. Simmons needs the lane to be his best but so does Embiid. Utah employed that sag principle in a non-Embiid matchup with the Sixers last year and Simmons had 42 with 12 assists. You don’t get better rim protection in the NBA than Rudy Gobert.
At least Embiid could shoot the 3 pt ball some, therefore spreading the floor at times. You think pairing Simmons with Robert Williams III is gonna work?
But if you don't have the shooters, you don't have the shooters. Boston is like Cleveland they don't have much shooting in their starting lineup as of right now. If Cleveland were to put him with second unit guys he would be a great fit and unsure of Boston but if you trade for him he will be playing with their starters most of the time. As of right now it could benefit Tatum, Schroder is likely dealt but either way he is a lower % shooter too. If Schroder and Brown get dealt they have zero shooting. At least low % guys. Brown is their best shooting starter. Horford isn't the consistent outside shooter like he's been in the past.
I gotta be honest…why would how Simmons works with Robert Williams III ever enter into the decision making on acquiring a 3 time All Star and defensive player of the year candidate who is 25 and has room for growth in his game? You citing current 3 point numbers for the Cs who run zero offense and just stand around and play iso ball with Tatum or Brown isn’t really compelling. Of course they don’t shoot well from 3 in that kind of attack. Interesting you bring up Horford. Both Simmons and Horford had their best minutes as Sixers when paired together without Embiid on the floor. Another name you mentioned is Smart who is valued around the league for his snarl and perimeter defense. He becomes an asset that is easier to trade once you’ve added a Simmons. Simmons brings better defense than Smart. We will have to agree to disagree.
I think all that you’re really shedding light upon is that the Celtics have a poorly constructed roster. Building around Simmons Tatum to me is a much better choice than continuing to scuttle along with Brown/Tatum alternating iso ball. CS roster isn’t a choice of let’s try and win now or try and win in the future. Right now is try and win never. It’s evident this doesn’t work. Marcus Smart would bring back a useable shooting asset. Robert Williams III would also bring back an asset. That’s a pretty good start to a needed rebuild. Tatum is 23 and Simmons is 25. Who knows what Schroeder can bring back. They need to do something. I almost feel bad for these Cs guys. Most of their conversation this season has revolved around whether or not the Celtics can stay below the luxury threshold or some other cap crap a fan would normally find secondary because it isn’t the fan’s money. They seemingly have no plan and are just hoping status quo has a break through.
Yes: Simmons is a very, very good basketball player with a unique skill set who is still young...
I like RWIII for what he is. I’m just saying a player like that shouldn’t enter into that thinking. All he will ever be is a secondary piece. Secondary pieces get swapped for fit all the time. I will give you that Simmons has holes in his game. With those holes he’s an elite player already (top 30). The only reason he is even available is because of those holes. Teams that win big take the chance on a youngster unlocking that. I think the Simmons that had people going gaga for the skill set his ROTY year is now more likely than ever to come through. If it doesn’t come out now it’s never happening and you have Tatum and a younger Draymond Green that can actually do a little more to build around. But being cucked on the national stage in which he has been over the last year is exactly what the doctor ordered for a head strong kid whose talent brought him to 25 never having been challenged on the need to add to his game. Gun to my head, I think Simmons gets a midrange game. Will never shoot the three well and will get aggressive enough when he gets paired without a dominant 5 like Embiid. And like I said, if I’m wrong, he’s Draymond Green. I don’t know of anyone who really wants their franchise to win to walk away from getting a more talented Dray at 25. Guys like that win you championships when you add scorers. They do the little things and they don’t go south if they don’t get shots.
They very well could have a roster that isn't constructed well but I don't think Simmons is helping it unless they surround him with shooters. They could make other moves but I'm not sure Simmons is the guy for the C's....there are other fits out there much better for Simmons and Philly can still get a good return.
I agree on other places being better fits for Simmons. Don’t know about Jalen Brown commanding coming back in a trade any better piece than Simmons. I guess there may be something else out there but I’m looking at the name most often linked and it’s Beal. Not sure how that makes sense. To me that’s Tatum/Brown iso ball 2.0.
