This week’s trade that brought Jimmy Butler from the Timberwolves puts the Sixers in win-now mode, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. It gives the team a third star to join with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but removes the luxury of developing younger players such as Markelle Fultz.
Butler displayed his ability to be a difference maker in Saturday’s win over the Hornets. He blocked a shot by Kemba Walker late in overtime, then sank a game-winning 3-pointer.
“I think it’s the beginning of something different now,” coach Brett Brown said. “I think there’s a cleansing and sort of a base that has been built. We are very proud of the culture, the standards, the rules and all that stuff. … I think there is a starting point now that’s more pronounced as far as a base to take off than there has ever been.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- There was a tense atmosphere in the Celtics‘ locker room following Saturday’s one-sided loss to the Jazz, relays Jay King of The Athletic. Coach Brad Stevens inserted his end-of-the-bench players with about nine minutes left in the game, then questioned his team’s toughness in a post-game interview. It’s the latest bump in the road for the Celtics, who have stumbled to a 9-7 start after being the preseason favorites to win the East. Kyrie Irving suggested the problem may stem from younger players forcing shots because they’re trying to duplicate the success they had last year when they had their roles expanded because of injuries.
- Tobias Harris would be a sensible free agent target for the Nets, especially if he continues playing the way he did Saturday, writes Bryan Fonseca of NetsDaily. The Clippers forward and Long Island native lit up Brooklyn for 27 points and eight rebounds, showing that he would make a nice addition to the Nets’ lineup. “I’m just focused on the team that I put a jersey on every single night for,” he said when asked about the possibility of coming to Brooklyn. “I think it wouldn’t be fair if I had my mind somewhere else at this time. I’m just focused on helping this team and let’s see how far we can go.”
- Someone will be pulled from the Nets‘ rotation when Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returns from his ankle injury, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Lewis adds that coach Kenny Atkinson doesn’t want to give regular minutes to more than 10 players per night.
I think it’s important to note that the referees missed an important call. Kemba Walker was clearly fouled behind the 3 point line and replay showed it, The referees never bothered to look at it and gave Kemba 2 free throws. Technically Charlotte should have won in regulation.
Although the refs missed that call, I still think the right team won. I watched that game outside of Kemba and maybe Bacon, Charlotte played like garbage. They had 42 dropped on them in the first quarter for Kobe sake. Not to mention they had an “and one” made by Jimmy overturned in the second half along with questionable no call on a reach in by Walker on Muscala under the basket that resulted in a turnover. I’m not saying that missed or incorrect calls should be accepted as an inescapable norm but these refs are human and I believe they honestly try to produce the fairest game possible in most cases.
Gotta outplay the refs. Their calls and non-calls have always been and always will be a factor in nearly every sporting event ever played at any level.
Kyrie Irving’s gonna make a good coach someday.
Yeah I think Kyrie pretty much hit the nail on the head.
see Rozier, Terry & Brown, Jaylen
I did go on all the summer that bringing 2 all-stars to a very good team wasn’t gonna make them a better team. On paper of course, but in reality is very hard to adjust all the players to accept reduced roles, adapt to new circumstances & so on… I think Boston has got too many good players they maybe should try to lighten up a bit the bench. For example GSW apart of an ageing Iggy hasn’t got anyone special coming off the bench, is the starters & specially the stars of the team who win ball games, depth is way overrated, at the end like last night in the Sixers/Hornets game all is about a 1 on 1 (Butler/Kemba). Specially in the play-offs were rotations come down to 7-8 guys is all about who has more star power not bench power. I hope Boston can find a solution, but playing JT at the 4 cannot be it for me, I would play KI, JB, JT, Horford & then they need a 5 not, Baynes, so maybe packing Hayward for Whiteside or another big like him & then they would be real scary.
Sooo…you’re saying if one of those “ALL-Star” starters gets hurt for an extended period of time…depth doesn’t matter? It’s over rated? Well, The Celtics you speak are proof depth matters buddy. Last year is proof
warriors had the same problem the celtics have, great players building chemistry while learning how to figure it out. trailing every game at half time would be a good thing to stop.
Schedule has been tough as well to start. Especially while sorting out roles. They will be back on track after the next 14 games. Schedule eases up