Ben Simmons formally demands trade

[shopson67]

A Harden averaging 15 a game during the playoffs is still better than a Ben Simmons averaging 8pts a game and 2/10 in the FT line. Sitting on the bench the last 4 minutes of the game.

Which is why the Sixers were right to give up what the did in the trade IMO. Waiting until the summer to make a deal wastes another postseason for Embiid.

 

[tlance]

A Harden averaging 15 a game during the playoffs is still better than a Ben Simmons averaging 8pts a game and 2/10 in the FT line. Sitting on the bench the last 4 minutes of the game.

No, it really isn’t.

Because Simmons plays elite defense. Harden plays none.

 

[raider bill]

No, it really isn’t.

Because Simmons plays elite defense. Harden plays none.

Trey young and Kevin Huerter say "Hi" They fucking lit Simmons up when it mattered.

Harden isn't the glove, but he bodies smaller guards off their spot on the perimeter and can defend the post a little.

Simmons game is 40 minutes long in the playoffs because he cannot shoot fouls,

 

[raider bill]

triple double and 5 steals, hE dOeSnT pLaY dEfEnSe

 

[flyerhawk]

No, it really isn’t.

Because Simmons plays elite defense. Harden plays none.

There is a lot of basketball still be played and 2 games does not tell a season.

But watching those 2 on the court certainly shows how they could be lethal including in the playoffs. They are going to be very tough to stop if they are both healthy.

Simmons has really good court vision but his complete lack of a jump shot made it a heck of a lot easier to defend him. If you give Harden open 15 footers, he's going to take them and drain them. And if you close him out, you are going to leave Embiid in a open space.

 

[fightinfunbags]

No, it really isn’t.

Because Simmons plays elite defense. Harden plays none.

Looked like he wanted to play defense yesterday. He had 5 steals and a couple more deflections. Harden will never be anything better than an average defender. The issue has always been willingness. Time will tell if this is his standard or if he reverts back to being that guy.

 

[fightinfunbags]

There is a lot of basketball still be played and 2 games does not tell a season.

But watching those 2 on the court certainly shows how they could be lethal including in the playoffs. They are going to be very tough to stop if they are both healthy.

Simmons has really good court vision but his complete lack of a jump shot made it a heck of a lot easier to defend him. If you give Harden open 15 footers, he's going to take them and drain them. And if you close him out, you are going to leave Embiid in a open space.

After two games I think it’s clear whose game translates to getting the best Embiid and whose game needs Embiid to sacrifice and play away from the basket.

 

[Iggloo]

No, it really isn’t.

Because Simmons plays elite defense. Harden plays none.

Harden can also make free throws!

 

[Sparhawk]

No, it really isn’t.

Because Simmons plays elite defense. Harden plays none.

'None' might technically be better than what Curry was giving us.....

 

[Iggloo]

The offensive fit is 1,000 times better with Harden compared with what we had obviously. And as noted, Curry was a defensive liability in the playoffs last season as a starter. So overall, while the defense is almost certain to be as bad or worse, the offense is almost certain to be a lot better, not just due to Harden but the emergence of Maxey as a 20+ point scorer. Maxey, Harden and Embiid are all capable FT shooters who can be trusted with the ball in their hands in clutch moments, unlike that other guy.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I really don't think it matters if Embiid is getting 25 FT's a night LOL

 

[Iggloo]

I really don't think it matters if Embiid is getting 25 FT's a night LOL

They can certainly set their halfcourt defense if that is what you mean.

The question is whether those FTs dry up in the playoffs when refs tend to call things more loosely and let players play. But yes, in the regular season they guys are going to be getting 40 points a night at the line, it is going to be insane. They are both smart about it too--when they are tired or need a bucket to stop momentum, they draw fouls.

 

[raider bill]

After two games I think it’s clear whose game translates to getting the best Embiid and whose game needs Embiid to sacrifice and play away from the basket.

THIS.. the spacing is orders of magnitude better because your PG isn't camping out and passing out of the dunker spot.

 

[flyerhawk]

I really don't think it matters if Embiid is getting 25 FT's a night LOL

He obviously won't get 25 FTs a game. But Harden will put Embiid in favorable situations where defenses won't have a choice but to foul him.

 

[fightinfunbags]

THIS.. the spacing is orders of magnitude better because your PG isn't camping out and passing out of the dunker spot.

It was hilarious watching on Friday night. Embiid catches below the circle of the foul line and pivots and there isn’t two defenders on him. He hesitated the first time he gets that look like WTF how am I this open?!?!? Dude is not used to getting looks like this.

 

[flyerhawk]

THIS.. the spacing is orders of magnitude better because your PG isn't camping out and passing out of the dunker spot.

Harden's gravity gives him more passing opportunities. He gets to the top of the key and defenses HAVE to collapse on him.

 

[fightinfunbags]

He obviously won't get 25 FTs a game. But Harden will put Embiid in favorable situations where defenses won't have a choice but to foul him.

What’s crazy is if you watch Embiid every night you see that they still don’t officiate him right and there are so many whistles that should be blown that doesn’t get blown. He gets hacked on nearly every trip down the floor.

 

[raider bill]

It was hilarious watching on Friday night. Embiid catches below the circle of the foul line and pivots and there isn’t two defenders on him. He hesitated the first time he gets that look like WTF how am I this open?!?!? Dude is not used to getting looks like this.

he was cracking up after he got a 2 step layup with nobody in front of him.

 

[fightinfunbags]

he was cracking up after he got a 2 step layup with nobody in front of him.

I obviously don’t know how all this plays out but this shit is gonna be a fun follow. I was all set for this to be a kick the can down the road season where the only compelling follow was will Embiid be MVP. And then Harden happened.

 

[raider bill]

Going from 50% assisted baskets to 80% assisted baskets is huge.. much less work for Embid to get a bucket,