Minnesota Sports Forum

lipoli390 wrote:

FNG wrote:I've been solidly on the Simmons train since their final game in the playoffs, but I'm mixed at best now. I recognize that nobody is very likable in this Philly drama, but I'm quite disappointed in Ben's behavior at practice his first few days. Carrying a cell phone in your pocket...really? And whether you like Doc or not, any one of us would have suspended a player who refused to participate in defensive drills. Ben's immaturity has drastically reduced what I'm willing to give up now, and what I'm willing to give up isn't likely to be of any interest to Morey. I would probably accept a Beasley/Jaden package and would consider a straight up deal for Dlo, but I'm just not as excited about Ben as I was before and also don't see Morey accepting either deal. I have no idea how this will end up, but it certainly is a shit show right now.

FNG - Glad to see you come around a bit and temper your Simmons crush. :) Ben's recent behavior in practice hasn't altered my view at all on the extent of my interest in trading for Simmons. Practice? We're talking about Practice! Not a game, Practice! Sorry, I digress. But seriously, I've had two reservations about about acquiring Simmons - (1) his poor perimeter and free-throw shooting, and (2) his attitude issues reflected in his reported failure to work on his shot and refusal to follow directives from his coaches to shoot more. Ben is a guy who appear to do what he wants to do, which is OK only to a point in a team sport like basketball. He strikes me as a bit of a loner who isn't particularly very relatable or coachable. What he's been doing recently in practice isn't a big deal to me. Morey, Rivers and Embiid had created this mess and Ben's response isn't all that unreasonable.

I still recognize and respect Ben's talent, which is why I've always been ok with the idea of dealing DLO straight up for Simmons and possibly including a couple 2nd-round picks or one future unprotected 1st for him. But I wouldn't deplete our bank of future assets to get him or give up a promising very high upside talent like McDaniels to get him. And I wouldn't trade a essential culture-changer like Beverley to get him either. If I were in Gupta's shoes, at this point I'd move on and forget about Simmons unless Morey called me. Instead, I'd focus on adding a quality big to the roster via free agency or through a trade that wouldn't involve any core players or valuable future assets.

Q12543 wrote:I remember when the Harden situation came up with Houston and I wanted so badly for him to wallow in uncertainty and unhappiness. That's mostly because I hate his game and stupid beard, but it's also because I think some of these star players need to get their wings clipped a bit so that bad behavior isn't rewarded.

If I'm being consistent, I should probably feel the same way about this situation with Ben. Now in his case, there is definitely a bit more balance here in that he was not treated well by fans and his own coach after last year's playoffs. So I get holding out and refusing to play, but then just stick to that and don't report - take your lumps, including the lost salary. But instead, he reports to the team and acts out like a child.....yuck.

Bottom line....I kinda hope this thing drags out uncomfortably long for both player and franchise and makes all parties involved miserable as hell.

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:I remember when the Harden situation came up with Houston and I wanted so badly for him to wallow in uncertainty and unhappiness. That's mostly because I hate his game and stupid beard, but it's also because I think some of these star players need to get their wings clipped a bit so that bad behavior isn't rewarded.

If I'm being consistent, I should probably feel the same way about this situation with Ben. Now in his case, there is definitely a bit more balance here in that he was not treated well by fans and his own coach after last year's playoffs. So I get holding out and refusing to play, but then just stick to that and don't report - take your lumps, including the lost salary. But instead, he reports to the team and acts out like a child.....yuck.

Bottom line....I kinda hope this thing drags out uncomfortably long for both player and franchise and makes all parties involved miserable as hell.

You're in Philly right? What has the local talk radio vibe been like? Insane I am sure.

FNG wrote:Cam, I agree that Simmons has largely behaved quite well throughout this ordeal, and I'm certainly not a fan of 76er management. It's just that his behavior this week has disappointed me, and makes me reassess how much I would give up to bring him in. The sullen face, the cell phone in the pocket during practice, the refusing to huddle up with teammates, and finally the refusal to participate in a drill all seemed very juvenile to me. Let's just say it's not the way I would have behaved in the same situation. I have no problem with his requesting a trade. But he signed a contract, and that contract requires him to play and for Philly to pay him something like $30 million. There's nothing in the contract that says the 76ers can't hurt his feelings. And they have no obligation to trade him if they can't get value in return (and isn't that showing him the respect he craves, saying he is worth a Lilliard in return?), or to pay him if he refuses to participate.

So do I still want Ben? Sure...for the right price. I just don't respect him as much today as I did a month ago. His petulant behavior this week reminds me of why I sometimes am disenchanted with today's NBA player.

BloopOracle wrote:His behavior doesn't bother me at all, I've seen it with too many stars now. He will get traded eventually like they did and suddenly turn into a model citizen. He's definitely doing childish things but I think that's just his only leverage he can really use under the CBA. I would still be elated to see him on the wolves!