Joel Embiid has a chance to change the course of his career tonight in the Sixers‘ first Game 7 since being eliminated by Toronto two years ago, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The lasting images from that game are Embiid being consoled by Raptors center Marc Gasol and then crying in the tunnel after Kawhi Leonard‘s series-winning shot bounced on the rim several times before falling.
Philadelphia wasn’t a factor in last year’s playoffs, being swept by the Celtics in the first round. That led to a coaching change and a front office shakeup, and now Embiid has a new supporting cast as he tries to reach the conference finals for the first time.
“I’m excited,” Embiid said. “This time around, it’s at home. Even back then, I believe that if we had home court, it would have been easier to win. But that’s why we worked so hard in the regular season to get that home-court advantage.”
There’s more on the Sixers:
- Coach Doc Rivers is supporting Embiid’s claim that he’s not getting his share of calls from officials in this series, according to Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Embiid got into an altercation with Hawks forward John Collins after a collision in Game 6 and then criticized the referees afterward. “I thought (with) Joel there were several things, one layup he made that a guy undercut his body, he fell to the floor, zero (call),” Rivers said. “The bigs, I complain about this to the competition committee, it just seems like you can take liberties with them that you can’t take with the guards out on the three-point line.”
- Rookie guard Tyrese Maxey was a difference maker in Friday’s win in Atlanta, notes Rich Hofmann of The Athletic. After his reserves played poorly in Game 5, Rivers told Maxey he would be the first guard off the bench. He responded with 16 points and seven rebounds and replaced Furkan Korkmaz in the lineup Rivers used to close the game.
- Ben Simmons‘ struggles during the playoffs have reduced his trade value throughout the league, ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on his latest podcast (hat tip to Adrian Bernecich of Blazer’s Edge). Lowe considers a few possible deals involving Simmons, including a swap with the Trail Blazers for CJ McCollum.
Zach Lowe trade idea
Simmons for McCollum, who says no？
Trailblazers
Unless Philly throws in 1st round pick and bench player
Philly doesn’t want him either. I still say give all the firsts, swaps, simmons, maxey, and thybulle for beal or lillard.
How about Simmons for Ingram?
How about Simmons for Andrew Wiggins? I would have given up way more to get the guy but buying low is great as well. I can’t believe the Sixers would make him available but especially if they lose tonight they’re going to have to Shake It Up.
IMO
Reggie Jackson is a better player than Simmons
Reggie Jackson has only 2 million contract
Wiggins has more trade value because Simmons has 4 year $147.5 million contract remaining
Overpaid amount is a biggest factor to make a deal
IMO
Simmons is overpaid by $50 million, Wiggins by $10 million
Reggie Jackson is not better then Simmons. Your takes r awful
Simmons is great defender and passer
In today’s nba, shooting is the most important
Hawks series
Simmons 3 games scoring
8
6
5
The more places you talk about this trade it doesn’t become any better to me. This is the first time I’d even entertain a Simmons trade if I was the Sixers and if my options are Wiggins or Ben, I’m keeping Ben 8 days a week.
Yes Philliesfan215, I think you’re probably right. No way the Sixers give up on Simmons now. He’s too good.
Would the Warriors move Simmons to center? It seems like a more natural position for him than PG since he shoots as bad as Shaq did.
I’d rather trade Draymond for Simmons than Wiggins. Simmons can play the 4, passes, plays D, lot younger, can also fill in at the 1 & 5 if needed. We’ll know soon how many first round picks the W’s will have this year. Send the lower one to the Sixers, ask for Maxsey in the deal. On second thought, probably wouldn’t be enough for Philly.
How about Simmons for the ghost of Wilt Chamberlain? None of these trades are happening.
Why would Portland give away their franchise player who wants to win IN PORTLAND period let alone for a very expensive and exposed lesser player? Yes hes a great defender. Yes he can set teammates up. But he’s a liability on the floor and a very one dimensional scorer.
Mccollum does nothing for the sixers. He can score a little but does not do much else well. Winning teams aren’t built around guys like McCollum. Simmons May never reach full potential but at least there is room to improve his offensive game. Elite defenders don’t grow on trees in the modern nba. I agree he may get traded but mccollum doesn’t move the needle.
AGREED Garett.
“All McCollum does is score touchdowns!”
I think McCollum and his 20+ ppg would be great for Philly. They don’t have a guard you can pencil in 20 in the book before the game starts. Seth Curry as the first guard off the bench is better for Philly, or any team, really. I’d love Thybulle and McCollum as a backcourt, especially if Matisse can become an improved perimeter shooter. As is, he’s a plus for you even as a defender only. But if he could become a reliable c/s guy, he’s even more valuable.
Embiid, Harris, McCollum, Thybulle, and __________ would be a solid lineup, assuming Joel can play 65 games.
Simmons with Portland brings a defensive dynamic the Blazers are missing, and also helps Lillard with ball handling duties where he can play off the ball and allow Simmons to playmake. I like the hypothetical trade. Simmons would become a better offensive player, add a jumpshot, and improve his ft shooting in this scenario under the new staff – I know that for a fact ;)
Sixers need backcourt stability and scoring, and he would not take up another guard’s top of the offense game (like with Lilliard).
But…
The fit with existing 76er players is not great… and I’m not sure NBA FOs will be risking enough this offseason. (Hope I’m wrong)
McCollum isn’t a good compliment to curry as they are one and the same but he’s a GREAT compliment to Embid. They NEED more shooters. Not sure what the hell you’re talking about. Simmons is no prize if you’re a title contender.
If you think McCollum and Curry (who has probably started more games this season than he has his whole career) are one and the same, while also thinking Philly’s offseason moves will be made with consideration to what “compliments” CURRY….
nevermind
my point was neither Curry nor McCollum are playmakers like Simmons. You pooh hoo Curry but guess what, he’s clearly their best shooter and yes he became a full time starter this yaar as he started every game he’s played in. his shooting isn’t fluky as his career average is 44% from the 3. Most importantly…. they have him for 2 more years at just under $9 mil per. he isn’t young tho. he’s 30. with Embid at age 27 and his injury risk I think Philly needs to go all in the next 3 years and move on from Simmons. Clearly neither Doc nor Embid have confidence in winning with Simmons.
Curry will give you some great ball… being your third guard and part-time stater (injuries, etc…). He’s not a starter if your team is is a “Final Four” team. He is Philly’s best shooter – and that’s a problem (obviously). Ideally, your team has at least one shooter better than Curry, and it doesn’t even have to be percentage-wise… being a higher volume shooter offsets the %.
There’s definitely a place for Curry, just (ideally) not in the starting line-up.
Sixers are going to regret not trading Simmons for Harden.
Rockets too
What would the Rockets have done with Simmons?
They got a better deal from Brooklyn than the Sixers offered.
Probably the same thing you’re doing with Wood, but you’d have Simmons too.
The four picks Houston netted out of that, plus Avery and Olynik, are not more valuable than Ben Simmons. The only non-awful thing that happened to Houston in all that was VO declining an offer he’ll never get again.
You may be right
I doubt Blazers will take him. Teams lost faith in this dude, he comes across as cocky and full of himself. I blame the NBA for that, they spoiled the players with these mind blowing fully guaranteed contracts. Guys like him, Love, Wall are keeping teams from improving. Your salary should depend on your availability, progress. If I’m Doc, I’ll leave his ass on bench til he learns how to shoot the damn ball. If you want spend the postseason playing fortnite, partying and dating IG models and come back same as you left then I’ll rely on Maxey and other kids willing to learn the game.
UncleSteve
I don’t put Simmons, Love and Wall on the same boat
Simmons just needs a good coach to develop him
And you don’t think the 76ers have tried to? The coach can’t MAKE him shoot better At some point it’s up to the players. Im 100% positive they’ve brought in numerous shooting coaches to try and work with him. He’s a $140 mil investment.
Does he do that?— no sign of his thoughts are apparent on court.
Wall got injured. He averaged 20 pts and 9 assists the year before his injury. Simmons got paid for what they “hoped” he would turn into. Bad comparison.
Hmmm, interesting
I have a feeling that Charlotte trades Heyward and a pick for Simmons. Rumors are they want to deal Heyward’s deal. I don’t agree with the trade mainly because Charlotte has Lamelo, but this is Charlotte we’re talking about. Salaries match up and throw in a future 2024-2025 first rounder and I think it’s feasible. Gives Charlotte fanbase TWO young guys to get excited over, and 76ers get another shooter and bucket on the court.
Why would the Sixers want GH? We already have 1 star with health issues. Why trade for another?
I see you’re logic on this. I think they just are over Simmons as a shooter/scorer. Yes he’s a fantastic defensive player and playmaker but they’re playing 5 on 4 on offense 75% of the time. I see that’s the only contract and team that would be willing to take the offensive enigma knows as Ben Simmons.
There is plenty of teams that would be willing to trade for Simmons thinking they could unlock him finally. The idea that the only team in the league who would take him being Charlotte is a little short sighted.
Until he restores some semblance of offensive value he’s a salary dump, period. There might not be a player in modern NBA history that eroded their value more than Simmons has in such a short period of time.
I’m a fan of Embiid, and do think he sometimes doesnt get calls, but he does also sometimes embelish. Trae Young gets some insanely ridiculous calls, almost at Harden level, which is completely different from anyone else, so it is fair to mention that more than anything
That being said, what a shocking statement from Doc Rivers, the person that complains more than anyone I’ve ever seen in my entire life, in every situation possible
Perhaps you haven’t seen Doncic play
Lebron complains more than anyone in history, his whole career doesnt even have any signature moments – all we remember him is doing his pathetic crybaby face as he complains to refs, but yeah.
LBJ may not have a “flu game” or “remember when he dropped 55 at MSG” but ummmm…. he’ll likely finish as the #1 scorer and top 5 in assists sooooo…you sound reallllly silly.
They do call a lot of bs calls it’s like anyone under 6’7 gets called one way and everyone above that can get hacked. But Embiid is a big time flopper and I hate that about his game. One of these times someone is going to injure themselves and be out a series or season BC they flopped, if it’s Trae I won’t be sad.
Embiid is a flopper, he’s basically Shaq out there and is acting like 165 pound Trae Young is shoving him to the ground. Rivers is a crybaby trash coach too – Ty Lue better.
Simmons’ lack of three point shooting was bad. His free throw shooting now is unacceptable. He doesn’t even attempt threes, which is ridiculous in today’s NBA.
OMG he doesn’t shoot 3s. What did NBA stars of the 70s, 80s and 90s do before the 3pt craze? Simmons would be fine not shooting 3s. It’s not being able to shoot midrange jumpers or anything not 5ft from the basket coupled with his fear of even attempting to shoot ANY shot in the 4th quarter because he’s scared of getting fouled and sent to the FT line.
I don’t think Simmons value is going to drop as much as people think. If Sixers make the finals short memories will kick in. If they lose, there’s enough time between now and then to hype him up. Don’t forget Morey is in charge.
“Hype” him up? Hahaha…. that’s funny. A highlight film of him shooting 5ft from the basket only in 3/4 of the quarters. He averaged 9pts on about 7 attempts almost all in the first 3 quarters of the game. That’s horrible. Great defender. Good passer. Nowhere near worthy of $30+ mil a year. His value has plummeted. It’s not like this is sn outlier like just a bad streak of games like Paul George in the playoffs the last few years prior. This is an ongoing much discussed player flaw.
Go Trae!
Ben is NOT a PG. Ben is NOT a PG…. This just in Ben is NOT a PG. He is not Magic. Ben was a career .60% FT shooter. No reason he can’t be over .70% by now. That’s just a failed Sixer system. Ben will have to get blame if they lose. Can’t really blame that.
Come to Knicks and play SF next to Randle. We will teach you to shoot. At least a .75% FT shooter.
There is no reason to believe that and your “we” is off-base.
Simmons only plays well and engaged as PG. An NBA GM must ask, what if we trade for Ben and he is like Ben?— which will probably happen.
Not even Randle changed as much as you have in mind.
Trade Ben Simmons to the NBL’s Perth Wildcats for 3X MVP Bryce Cotton.
Sending Simmons home, 10,000 miles away, might humble him enough to seriously work on his shot.
He can work on his shot all day long and twice on Sunday but it’s not going to get any better until he improves his mechanics or he hits 40 years old. His elbow sticks out toward the sideline and it’s not an up and down lever. Plus his shot is way too flat. How about a little Arc and give it a chance to drop in?
you really think he sucks this bad because he’s NOT trying? I think it’s much, much deeper than that. I don’t think it’s a lack of effort. It’s a lack of results which is far, far more scary. I can’t imagine he’s ok with being this inept. He needs to go somewhere that will allow him to work out the paint like a point forward alongside shooting guard tandems in the perimeter. A team that doesn’t have a significant center in the post who NEEDS the ball. Embid is such a great post player hee deserves to be fed the ball inside. Simmons doesn’t compliment him. I would work on Simmons developing a hook shot or 10ft jumper and let the offense flow thru him in the post. We keep hearing about position less basketball. The NBA doesn’t have a lot of dominant bigs. Simmons could give you 15 in the post on switches.
realistic trade for Simmons at this point…. Simmons to the Cavs for Love and Sexton (can throw in salary filler) who says no… Collin could be a dynamite bench scorer for philly, plus eith thybulle they still have defensive stoppers
I suggested a Cavs trade and was blasted. I would NOT include Sexton nor Garland tho. 76ers need to be happy to get from under the $140 owed.
But Simmons as a improved version of Nance working out the post with two quasi shooting guards/ point guards in Sexton and Garland could be dope. LBJ used to pass from the post and let the offense work inside out. Cavs could afford to take a flier on a Simmons experiment. Most win now teams couldn’t.
Sixers are not giving Ben away. Stop with the fantasy. If they lose tonight. Someone will have to be blamed. Should be Sixers FO. Just like Morey let Harden run the Rockets. I guess he’s letting Embiid n Ben run Sixers. Sixers lose at home. They deserve to get broken up. To Hawks ….. with No Hunter.
I was looking forward to an East team this yr. Not the Big Noise. A real team Sixers or Bucks. But both have disappointed. I’m rooting for Chris to get a ring.
not that they are giving him away, but he is regressing big time and next year will be paid I’m excess of 30 Mil…. a 30 mil ayer in the lmayoffs scoring 4 points a game is a joke, and his lack of work ethic and apparently lack if interest I’m actually becoming a complete player is what is hiding the 76ers back… just look at what they could have done… Kept Jimmy Butler, fire brown a year early … Hire Lue instead of Doc…. ship Ben off for a group of role players and you win a chip this year
That’s not a giveway old ball coach. It is a trade for Sexton more than Love. You are just reacting not thinking. Put away the mic, you are just farting into it.
why blame anyone other than Simmons? You think they would invest $140 mil in him and NOT exhaust giving him all the help they could bring in? At some point it’s on the player to improve.
It’s not about giving him away. He still has value, and is still young. He’s a good player. But Philly needs to win with Embiid and it’s very clear they can’t do that with Simmons being paid as a #2 guy. They have to move him, or else they’ll fail to build properly around Embiid and lose him instead.
Poor Philly fans. You can see the agony of defeat written all over their sad faces.
I still wouldn’t trade Simmons.The doubt in him developing his shot might be growing,but he is 24.If the shot don’t start coming around,i’d move him off the point.
I was excited when the 6ers hired Doc,because I thought he might unlock that potential,but he catered to him.Getting Ben to reach for his potential could advance this team as quick,and as much as any trade would.The team needs to bring someone in to get him to do that.It could be a assistant,it don’t necessarily have to be at the expense of Doc.But Doc can’t continue on with the “I don’t care how we score” talk.Sometimes potential needs to be unlocked.
Rivers would always be better for Tobias than anyone. He probably locks Simmons into his little rebellion. He’s not fully catering if Ben is not at the 1… But he didn’t bench him either! I suspect there was intent to showcase him without hurting the team too much.. Other GMs can dream too.
And you don’t think Doc….a very good PG during his career understands that? He can’t bench him. And he can’t take shots for him. At this point blame the player not the coaching staff in terms of trying to develop his offensive game. Embid deserved to get fed in the post. Simmons needs to move off the PG role working on the promoter to inside and instead work from the interior to the outside like a point fwd. Set him up on the block posting up smaller guys and passing from the post. A team that doesn’t have another star in the post would be ideal.
Saying Doc will always be best for Tobias is mostly based off the comparison to his time with Brett Brown.And regardless who the coach is,Tobias might win ya game here and there,but he’s not gonna be that guy consistently,and he won’t be in matchups against true contenders.He’s a decent 3rd option.
I said nothing about Tabias.
Read, KFCF, you’re certanly going on enough. I don’t even see a point to all your posts. You keep saying Simmons is a problem. Yes we know that, everyone does by now. What are you even trying to add?
I am saying Doc’s strong leadership, presence and charisma, could make Tobias better my making him more ambitious, or in Ben’s case worse, by making Ben more set in his sullen disaffection or alienation or whatever his mental block is.
Whether or not Doc understands it is irrelevant,getting Ben to understand it is a part of Docs job.If the guy simply won’t try,it is on the coach to encourage him to,which is why I say they need someone to get Ben to understand it.Can’t just say I don’t care how we score.With the 6ers in particular,the regular season numbers were never the issue that needed to be worked out,winning in the playoffs were.
You really think that the entire organization hasn’t TRIED to convince him? That amazes me that casual fans don’t understand that teams are making huge investments in these guys and part of that investment is in a support system around them. I am 100% sure they have. But keep in mind, Doc just got there. He inherited Ben. At this point Ben has to do it himself. Only thing Doc can do is try and minimize his shortcomings and try to put him in position to get the best out of what he does best. Unfortunately, he should play out the post but so should Embid whos a much greater contributor to the team.
You’re saying the organization has tried.
I’m saying what they have already tried has failed,and they have to find a way outside of what they already have.
I’m also saying I still believe in the guy.I get that’s not a very popular opinion right now,but I believe if he’s dealt,in 2-3 years he’ll become a guy Philly cries about getting rid of.
I agree with you here Regi. As I said a thousand times I would love him on the Warriors. That defense that unselfishness that size and I think he has a good head. Get him a shooting coach and he’ll be fine. As they did with Lonzo ball they’ve got to change his form. Bottom line.
Doc didnt make a single difference for this team and he’s laughing all the way to the bank. What a joke be is…. He’s too busy focusing on his 30yr old girlfriend.
Best record in the Eastern Conference? He didn’t pick Ben Simmons as his PG. What was he supposed to do in that situation? You have a $30+ mil player you can’t bench and Embid who deserves to be in the post where he’s a stud. Blame the GM that gave Simmons $140 mil. I don’t think Rivers is a brainiac coach but I don’t see what options he had with this roster in terms of how Simmons doesn’t fit in it.
Bro…Doc Rivers is so amazingly bad roflmao
As for Simmons, it’s worse to not play with any aggression than actually missing shots. By not attempting to attack, that hurts your team more than actually missing. I wouldnt trade him, personally, but if you arent going to use him at the 5 more often, or even though he has played the 4 this year in 2nd units, use him more consistently there, he needs to attack the paint in matchups where he has advantages, like against Atlanta. Also, the whole reason you got George Hill, when you had multiple other guards, was to pair him with Simmons and/or Embiid. Hill and Curry playing off those guys, as catch and shoot options, is deadly, and neither of them should be on the floor without at least 1 of them. Otherwise, you would use your young guards, and Thybulle, especially with Danny Green out. It’s not hard to understand what your own players can do, but it seems to be impossible for Doc Rivers every year
what is rivers supposed to do, jump on the court and hand hold simmons into the lane? you think they aren’t telling to attack more? he’s the problem. he won’t do it. he won’t do the work to get more confident in his role. that’s your star player? no thanks. he’s 1000% gone.
Philly just about has to trade Simmons now – there are fans burning his jersey, and Doc all but said he’s not a championship PG.
If a team with great shooting brings Simmons in to be a defensive player with weak side ball handling and/or 2nd unit responsibilities, he should a good piece.
It’s hard to envision Simmons being a champion right now, but Rondo went thru a refusing-to-shoot stretch like this once upon a time. He managed to overcome it.
Philly is that team with shooting. Their coach just [_@%!+& $_@%$, and how shocking of him to say that b/c of course, as always, it’s never his fault
Explain to me what Doc should’ve done differently when you have a flawed $30 mil pg that can’t and won’t shoot?
Use him the same way the Warriors use Draymond Green. End of story. Green often has 7 points and 11 assists and eight rebounds. You need better shooters.
They can’t really do that because Green plays out the post majority of the time. He doesn’t have a dominant post player like Embid there. Wiseman might change that but Tobias/Simmons need to work in/out the post. But I do agree that at this point he needs to be a point forward working inside/out but not for this team.
It was Doc who was scared and panicking. He was blushing throughout Game 6 and 7. Players can feel it and were reflective of their coach. Hopefully, he will never ever get a head coaching job after this. He simply doesnt work hard enough.
You’ll notice who was drawing up plays in the Sixers huddle. It was not Rivers it was Dave Joerger.
I think that’s unfair to Doc. This team had the best record in the EC and if Simmons contributed anything offensively they would’ve advanced to the Finals. I mean the GLARING problem is Simmons.
I mean, it’s hard to blame Doc when he’s bogged down with a $33 mil pg who is so unable to hit an open shot or FT to the point where he won’t even attempt. Stop placing blame on others.
Dude, they were already a great team for couple yrs before he got there. All the players have experience now, and he cant even get Simmons to be confident player? Why pay 10m a year for a coach then??
Simmons for Buddy Hield.