Ben Simmons formally demands trade

[thunderc]

Well the good news for you is the Sixers aren't giving Simmons the 20 million he lost in fines.

I really don’t think there was ever any doubt about that.

 

[bksballer89]

Is Maxey a spot up shooter?

 

[flyerhawk]

I really don’t think there was ever any doubt about that.

If a deal didn't come through and Simmons decided he would come back and play, the Sixers probably would have been forced to forgive the fines.

 

[Gman]

Why? He won 65 games with Chris Paul despite the fact that their games had a ton of overlap.

Are we saying the problem is that he's been hard to play with on the Nets? Because of the 16 games he's played with Kyrie and KD?

If Harden were healthy in the playoffs last year do you really think the Bucks would have won the title?

Harden is a difficult personality.

But the guy that is difficult to play with in that trade is not James Harden.

Comparing Harden to Simmons on such a front isn't saying much.

Regarding Harden specifically... it's a mix of his personality (which you concede is an issue) and his ball-dominant style. Harden changes a team dynamic/system.

It'll be interesting to see how the fit works out. I'm low-key pessimistic on it... I don't foresee trainwreck (more like falling short of the goal), and I could be wrong.

Harden's recent play has not been inspiring, and I don't think he will age like fine wine.

 

[trojanfan12]

And I'm far from certain that this was the right trade. But calling this trade a massive failure for the Sixers is just laughable hyperbole.

What's laughable is thinking this trade improves the Sixers shot at a title.

Honestly, if the Lakers aren't going to win the title, I wouldn't mind seeing the Sixers win it. After the shit Simmons has pulled, it would serve him right to not only see the Sixers win it the very season he left, but have them go through him and his new team to win it.

Now ask me how much I'd be willing to bet that's what happens.

 

[Iggloo]

It may well be a train wreck, but we already had a train wreck. Now we get Harden for a season and a half while Embiid is in his prime. If it goes bad, well at least he is off the books. The Simmons contract needed to be shed. We got a decent return IMO.

 

[tlance]

Why is Harden not easy to play with? Harden likes a fairly slow pace of play. Guess what? The Sixers already were the slowest pace of play team in the NBA.

Not sure why Harden is being described as hard to play with. The guy is always in the top of the league in assists. He's a magnet for defenders. And he's NEVER played with anyone like Embiid. The closest he has come is Clint Capela who got a big pay raise because of his play with Harden.

There are certainly things to be concerned about with Harden. His fitness. His age. His dedication. His motivation. But the guy is an amazing player.

Because he might be the most ball dominant player in the entire league.

Yeah, he gets a lot of assists because he is a good passer and he always has the ball.

But do you really want the offense running through Harden instead of Embiid?

Because Harden has never been asked to play any other way.

A year from now, I think you Philly fans may be looking at this deal like the Lakers are looking at Russ.

 

[Iggloo]

What's laughable is thinking this trade improves the Sixers shot at a title.

Honestly, if the Lakers aren't going to win the title, I wouldn't mind seeing the Sixers win it. After the shit Simmons has pulled, it would serve him right to not only see the Sixers win it the very season he left, but have them go through him and his team to win it.

Now ask me how much I'd be willing to bet that's what happens.

Explain to me how this doesn't help the Sixers' chances when Simmons wasn't even on the court.

 

[msgkings322]

Yes

I'm not so sure. Maybe playoff games...but will he shit the bed again with the energy in that place?

 

[tlance]

Serious question, would Simmons play the games in Philly?

I think that is a legit question.

 

[flyerhawk]

Comparing Harden to Simmons on such a front isn't saying much.

Regarding Harden specifically... it's a mix of his personality (which you concede is an issue) and his ball-dominant style. Harden changes a team dynamic/system.

It'll be interesting to see how the fit works out. I'm low-key pessimistic on it... I don't foresee trainwreck (more like falling short of the goal), and I could be wrong.

Harden's recent play has not been inspiring, and I don't think he will age like fine wine.

Even playing at the level he's been playing this season he is still putting up 22.5/8/10 lines. His efficiency has been poor as his shooting hasn't been great but it would be surprising if he all of the sudden forgot how to shoot.

It will be interesting to see how he pairs with Embiid. Embiid gets a lot of touches but he's not exactly a point guard. I absolutely could see the two of them having a lethal 2 man game.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Even if the Nets don't get healthy...I don't see the Sixers getting past the Heat or Bucks.

or Cavs

 

[tlance]

We've heard this story before: "The unbeatable Nets." The New York Times even wrote a ludicruous piece on how they were the best NBA team ever assembled!

Last I checked Giannis had a nice ring on his finger, and the Nets still had zero rings. Let's slow the hype train and see how the pieces fit.

No man.

A lot of people here, including me were saying that Brooklyn was a serious question mark because of the fit between Harden and Kyrie.

I am not saying they are unbeatable now because we haven’t seen Simmons since his implosion last May.

But if Kyrie is playing full time and Simmons looks anything like his former self, this Brooklyn team is much better than last year’s version.

 

[bksballer89]

I'm not so sure. Maybe playoff games...but will he shit the bed again with the energy in that place?

He wont be needed to score much in Brooklyn. Just be a point guard and play great defense. The nets got much better today.

 

[Shanemansj13]

A sixers/nets 1st round is what the nba world need

 

[msgkings322]

He wont be needed to score much in Brooklyn. Just be a point guard and play great defense. The nets got much better today.

That's not at all what I asked

 

[tlance]

Drummond is a regular season player. He's essentially unplayable in the playoffs. Which is why the Sixers got him for a league minimum. And why they were willing to deal him.

He is a 25 minute a game body at a position where the Nets have nobody.

 

[flyerhawk]

What's laughable is thinking this trade improves the Sixers shot at a title.

Honestly, if the Lakers aren't going to win the title, I wouldn't mind seeing the Sixers win it. After the shit Simmons has pulled, it would serve him right to not only see the Sixers win it the very season he left, but have them go through him and his new team to win it.

Now ask me how much I'd be willing to bet that's what happens.

Just curious but why do you think the Sixers didn't improve their chances at winning a title? They have a guy right now that is the favorite to be the MVP. They have decent depth, outside the 5, and their starting 5 should be one of the best in the NBA this season.

If you want to say that they aren't a favorite that's fine. Arguing that trading Seth Curry and Drummond for Harden doesn't improve their title chances this year seems pretty silly.

 

[bksballer89]

I will be courtside for that if it happens

 

[flyerhawk]

He is a 25 minute a game body at a position where the Nets have nobody.

In the regular season, yes. If the Nets are playing Drummond 25 minutes against the Bucks or Sixers in the playofs, he is going to get absolutely roasted.