It’s a mixed bag in terms of the availability of the players the Sixers acquired in the James Harden deal, Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.
Nicolas Batum remains away from the team for personal reasons and coach Nick Nurse is unsure when he’ll return, while Marcus Morris is still ramping up after being out of the Clippers’ rotation. However, Robert Covington and KJ Martin have a chance to be in the Sixers’ rotation for the team’s game against Phoenix on Saturday.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Coming off a disappointing second NBA season, Raptors forward Scottie Barnes appears to be making major strides, according to Eric Koreen of The Athletic. Barnes has been a steady force thus far while averaging 21.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists and shooting 52.6% from the field. While at times he’s tried to do too much, Barnes has also been a factor defensively, Koreen notes.
- Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla organized a film session for his struggling bench on Tuesday and it paid off on Wednesday, as the backups lifted the team in a 155-point explosion against Indiana. The bench contributed 63 points. “I just thought we played with more of a sense of purpose, and they managed the game in that way,” Mazzulla said to The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach (subscription required). “And there’s certain things that you can do to put yourself in a better situation in those. It’s defend without fouling, it’s limiting them to one shot, it’s not giving up transition. Those are the three things that they didn’t do in the Washington game and those are the three things that they did a great job of taking away [against the Pacers].”
- Speaking of reserves, the Nets got similar performances from their bench in a victory over Miami on Wednesday. That group included Armoni Brooks and Trendon Watford, making their first appearances with the Nets, and rookie second-rounder Jalen Wilson, Dan Martin of the New York Post notes. “This is a night when you see the depth and versatility of our group,’’ coach Jacque Vaughn said. “You also saw the fight and competitiveness of our group. Our pace didn’t change with subbing in guys.”
Scottie clearly got the memo. Love to see it.
I’ve said it since day ONE. Ben Simmons is not a PG. Great vision great passer, not a PG. He’s 6’ 10” and 240 LBs.
Mailman – 6’ 9” and 260 LBs
Dirk – 7’ and 245 LBs
Webber – 6’ 10” and 245 LBs
Bosh – 6’ 10” and 245 LBs
Rodman – 6’ 7” and 210 LBs
Dray – 6’ 6” and 230 LBs
Schayes – 6’ 8” 220 LBs
Elvin – 6’ 9” and 235 LBs
McHale – 6’ 10 and 210 LBs
Charles – 6’ 6” and 252 LBs
Petit – 6’ 9” and 205 LBs
Giannis – 6’ 11” and 242 LBs
These are some of the best ever. Real 4s who changed the game. This so you can compare size …… and different talent. Yet all HOFers …….. Ben is a better passer than all of them …… better vision than all of them.
We all know Ben and his lack of shooting. In an era of shooting. Has been exposed. And it has affected his confidence. In sports confidence is key. Ben gets that back by doing the things you do best. Great D player, great rebounder, great passer. And solid scorer if he runs the floor and posts. He’s quicker than any 4. Stronger than any 3.
In 4 games this yr ……
7.3, pts, 10. 3 reb, 7.5 ast
3.5/ 6.3. 560% FG, 1 FT, 0 threes
Career ……..
14.6 pts, 7.9 reb, 7.5 ast, .60% FT
As a 4/3 he should get to FT more. So he absolutely has to become a better FT shooter. Karl Malone was a bad FT shooter. He got up to high 70s, career .74% FT shooter. That’s what a real pro does. Rodman is a career 7.3 pts, 13.1 reb, .584% FT on 2 FTs a gm. And both are HOFers.
As 4/3 Ben should easily score 14 pts a gm. His career avg. If he stays at 10 reb a gm. And gets his 8 ast a gm. With DPOY potential. He’s going to the HOF. This is a triple double guy. At least close to one. At the forward position. Never been done…..
Ben is a hybrid PF/SF …… get your FT to .75%. And he will become a winner and head to the HOF. Ben is not a PG. Takes more to be Magic. Than just size and passing. Ben is NOT a PG.
Ben is NOT a PG. He’s a SF/PF hybrid …….
Am I missing something? When was Ben Simmons discussed in the article?
I’m huge on Ben Simmons and always have been but after the failed process I always thought it was probably in his best interest to go back to playing SF. In college he was the 3 and averaged 20-12-5. Due to his size he’d still be able to use his size to bully his way into the paint and score inside of kick out to shooters similar to LeBron in terms of play style although not as offensive minded. However he’s got it in his head he’s a PG and basically refuses to change. If he were to be the SF I think it would allow teams to have another shooter around him, instead of handling the ball pushing it up the court he could get out and run and finish in transition. Off ball defending he would get a lot more intercepts aswell as getting plenty of steals on guys that aren’t as accustom to handling the ball. Obviously the rebounding numbers will improve being close to the rim. Scottie Barnes and Ben actually have a pretty similar skill set, Barnes obviously can shoot and Ben doesn’t. But Ben’s a better passer and defender and overall I’d say has a higher basketball IQ too. Barnes is happy to play SF or PF aswell as back up PG minutes and that’s kinda the difference. Whereas Ben has been reluctant to switch spots or put up 3’s….
If Ben did those things I’d have no doubt he could be top 25 again
Scotty got the memo after 4 Games …..
What memo is that ?
Uhm …. Do it for 82 gms.
Focus elsewhere. Knicks have zero to stop Scottie
Paywall on Celtics page editors
Lame
Batum mad he was traded