Simmons Prediction Thread

[KiwiMatt]

With Rosa out and Gupta in doesn this mean DLO becomes available in trade talks?

[Monster]

Let's just say media day ain't going too well in Philly.

https://nypost.com/2021/09/27/76ers-doc-rivers-snaps-at-reporter-over-ben-simmons-question/

I wonder how Embiid is enjoying the first scrimmage today with Maxey running the point.

Lol. Your post calls to mind something that's been bugging me - i.e., the media infatuation with Maxey. I like him as a player, but his stats last season were not impressive even for a rookie. I liked his effort, but I didn't see anything in his play that wowed me in the least. No doubt that, for sake of leverage in negotiations for Simmons, the Sixers organization would like NBA front office executives to believe they're excited about Maxey. But there is absolutely no way the Sixers will trust their PG position to Tyrese Maxey unless they've decided to throw in the towel on this season and that's highly, highly unlikely. All the more reason to assume that the Sixers won't agree to any Simmons deal that doesn't land them a high-quality lead guard - VanVleet, Brogdon, DLO or perhaps a younger guy like Sexton of Haliburton who both look far better than Maxey.

I agree Lip anyone would considers him an actual PG is bizarre to me. Combo guard or scoring guard sure I'm down with that. Yeah he is a bit undersized (more like a PG) in terms of measurements but when you watch him he just looks bigger partly because he looks pretty strong also. If he was playing the PG position with Simmons on the roster that sounds good as a complimentary guy sure but if he is the guy running the team...IMO (although I haven't seen him play a lot) that not gonna be great.

I don't want to be making a case for Maxey but there are some positives statistically speaking as a scorer. Any shot inside of of 16 feet he was good and even the 16 feet out to 3 wasn't horrible at 37.5% for a rookie guard. Overall he shot 51% from 2 and it wasn't just at the rim. He shot the ball much better overall after the AS break so he seemed to show some improvement as the season went on. I believe he played some solid playoff minutes so that probably got some people feeling some positive vibes for him. Is he wildly valuable? No but he is probably works at least where he was drafted (thought #21 was kinda low at the time) and he turns 21 in November. He struggled at the FT in the playoffs but he is a guy that's been good there both his one year in college and his rookie year during the season so I think there is a chance he will be at least an average 3 point shooter. He is a solid young player but he isn't a guy anyone is going to be clamoring for but the Sixers aren't wanting to just give him up for no value either.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

With Rosa out and Gupta in doesn this mean DLO becomes available in trade talks?

None of us really know, but it does seem like Gupta would be less attached to DLO.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Jeff Zillgitt:

"Within this story is obviously the Ben Simmons situation, and while the Sixers said yesterday they want him on the court, they're also targeting the Western Conference for potential trade partners, I'm told."


Obviously, that report bodes well for the Timberwolves, but make no mistake about it, the Sixers will take the package with the most value included regardless of conference. I still think Minnesota's a front runner for Simmons, for what it's worth.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Derek Bodner of The Athletic

Joel Embiid, responding to Sam Amick's report:

"I feel like our teams have always been built around his needs. So it was kind of surprising to see. I mean the reason we signed Al (Horford) is (Simmons). We got rid of Jimmy (because) he needed the ball in his hands."

Embiid (more): "We've always had shooters, and I feel like i can really play with anybody, and I can make anybody be better on the court...We are a better team with him. There's no question about it. We still hope that he changes his mind."

Embiid (continued): "The situation is weird, disappointing, borderline kinda disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives. Some guys rely on the team to be successful to stay in the league and make money somehow."

[Lipoli390]

Derek Bodner of The Athletic

Joel Embiid, responding to Sam Amick's report:

"I feel like our teams have always been built around his needs. So it was kind of surprising to see. I mean the reason we signed Al (Horford) is (Simmons). We got rid of Jimmy (because) he needed the ball in his hands."

Embiid (more): "We've always had shooters, and I feel like i can really play with anybody, and I can make anybody be better on the court...We are a better team with him. There's no question about it. We still hope that he changes his mind."

Embiid (continued): "The situation is weird, disappointing, borderline kinda disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives. Some guys rely on the team to be successful to stay in the league and make money somehow."

Interesting. I have several immediate reactions to Embiid's comments. First, he has probably further alienated Simmons with those comments. Second, I think he might be right about how the team has tried to accommodate Simmons. Finally, I think Embiid is misconstruing what Sam Amick reported. Amick reported that Simmons doesn't believe he and Embiid are an ideal fit. That doesn't mean the Sixers failed to accommodate or even feature Simmons enough. To me, it simply reflects the reality that Embiid's strength on the offensive end is in the paint and that's also Ben's strength.

I'm troubled that Simmons would want out based on Embiid's game rather than do the work to expand his game and better complement the best center in the NBA. I'm troubled by a number of things about Simmons, which is why I'm less inclined than most on this board to give up much to get him. But I honestly don't think compatibility with Embiid's game has anything to do with Simmons wanting out. I think he's motivated almost entirely by the cumulative impact of off-the-court actions by the Sixers' organization and his teammates. Those actions began with Morey trading him for Harden before Houston pulled the plug on the deal, and culminated in comments by Doc Rivers and teammates, especially Embiid, throwing Ben under the bus as a scapegoat for the Sixers' early exit from the playoffs. My vague recollection of past media reports is that Simmons has also had off-the-court/locker-room issues with Embiid over the years. That wouldn't be surprising because I think Embiid is a bit of a dick.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This isn't worth starting a new thread or digging up an old one, but Alex Rodriguez is a much better face of the franchise as an owner than Glen Taylor ever could have been. A-Rod just made an appearance on The Jump and was very thoughtful and well-spoken without sounding scripted or dry. He showed an enthusiasm about the Timberwolves and the opportunity he and Marc Lore have in growing into majority owners. Recently, the two reiterated that they have no plans to move the team from Minnesota. When they were in the process of initially buying the franchise, I was very skeptical that perhaps these two investors would look to pick up and go to a hot location like Las Vegas or Seattle, but as of right now I believe that they don't want to go anywhere. I think they see huge opportunity for growth in the regional market and intend to build something worthwhile. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it as of now.

[Lipoli390]

This isn't worth starting a new thread or digging up an old one, but Alex Rodriguez is a much better face of the franchise as an owner than Glen Taylor ever could have been. A-Rod just made an appearance on The Jump and was very thoughtful and well-spoken without sounding scripted or dry. He showed an enthusiasm about the Timberwolves and the opportunity he and Marc Lore have in growing into majority owners. Recently, the two reiterated that they have no plans to move the team from Minnesota. When they were in the process of initially buying the franchise, I was very skeptical that perhaps these two investors would look to pick up and go to a hot location like Las Vegas or Seattle, but as of right now I believe that they don't want to go anywhere. I think they see huge opportunity for growth in the regional market and intend to build something worthwhile. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it as of now.

Wish I had seen that interview on The Jump. Nevertheless, I still share your view that this franchise has taken a big step up from Glen to the A-Rod/Lore combo as its ownership face. Further, I never thought they bought this team with the intent to move it - if for no other reason than the fact that moving the team would be a huge hill to climb given the League's compelling financial interest in expansion over relocations.

[Crazysauce]

One addition I seen on the Embiid quote.

Embiid on Ben, partial: "Our teams have always been built around his needs. So it's just kind of surprising to see. Even going back to, the reason we signed Al, we got rid of Jimmy, which I still think was a mistake, just to make sure he needed the ball in his hands."


Claiming it was a mistake to get rid of Jimmy to make sure Simmons had the ball in his hands. Wow, it's going downhill really fast. At what point does the sixers owner step in and make Morey deal him? I can't see any way where this situation gets better.

[Monster]

This isn't worth starting a new thread or digging up an old one, but Alex Rodriguez is a much better face of the franchise as an owner than Glen Taylor ever could have been. A-Rod just made an appearance on The Jump and was very thoughtful and well-spoken without sounding scripted or dry. He showed an enthusiasm about the Timberwolves and the opportunity he and Marc Lore have in growing into majority owners. Recently, the two reiterated that they have no plans to move the team from Minnesota. When they were in the process of initially buying the franchise, I was very skeptical that perhaps these two investors would look to pick up and go to a hot location like Las Vegas or Seattle, but as of right now I believe that they don't want to go anywhere. I think they see huge opportunity for growth in the regional market and intend to build something worthwhile. I could be wrong, but that's my take on it as of now.

Wish I had seen that interview on The Jump. Nevertheless, I still share your view that this franchise has taken a big step up from Glen to the A-Rod/Lore combo as its ownership face. Further, I never thought they bought this team with the intent to move it - if for no other reason than the fact that moving the team would be a huge hill to climb given the League's compelling financial interest in expansion over relocations.

Is this the one you were taking about Cam?

https://youtu.be/Vlfj0Vf6toM

It wasn't that long ago that Golden state was a junk franchise. They have built a new stadium and have one of the most popular players in all of sports on their roster. Yes some teams have advantages but the reality is that if Lore and Arod believe in their ability to run and turnaround a franchise MN is a great place to do it. The Vikings haven't won a championship ever but they are clearly doing pretty well just being interesting and being above average. Was there a chance they moved the Wolves at some point? Sure but this is a very good sports market.