2019-2020 Sixers Season/Offseason

[zambonir]

Yeah wasn't Joel just complaining about load management? He said he wasn't fatigued, but Gasol and double-teams shut him down. Surely the worst game of his career.

However, this also marked the Sixers’ fourth game in six nights, and Embiid is trying to get into game shape. There was a sense that Embiid would have been held out of playing two games on back-to-back nights for much-needed rest.

However, he not only played on both Friday and Saturday but also competed in all four games. And on Monday, he was out of sorts offensively.

Joel Embiid goes scoreless in Sixers’ 101-96 loss to Raptors

[xogfog]

Sixers win both games of the back to back, beating the Pacers tonight. Winning it from the line; Embid 15 of 15 from the charity stripe and Simmons was 7 of 7!

[bigegypt0417]

Ben Simmons was amazing defensively.

Two steals in the last 14 seconds.

[phillychuck]

Two steals in the last 14 seconds.

Three, counting the interception of the desperation pass at the buzzer.

[bigegypt0417]

Sixers are 14-6 at 20 games and have so far won a bunch on talent...they still need to add a bench shooter if they are going to take the last step but this team should win 50+ if they are healthy.

It may be time to start becoming comfortable with what Ben Simmons will be...an elite defender who may never have the range that we'd like to see. The one thing that seems to be trending up is his free throw shooting. If he can get that to around 70% he'll be ok.

[phillychuck]

They may not have Richardson at all this week (balky hamstring), which means Burke, Neto, Korkmaz, Thybulle, etc. get more minutes. Although that's not good now, it gives the team more time to see what they have in the bench guards, and whether or not they'll need to go get a shooter. Milton, Zaire, and Shayock are probably not in the mix for this year--too bad for Milton, who was looking like a player prior to his injury.

[bigegypt0417]

They handled Utah pretty easily last night.

Matisse Thybulle has his 3 point percentage up to 43% and is in the 60's since mid November...

[VoteForKalas]

It may be time to start becoming comfortable with what Ben Simmons will be...an elite defender who may never have the range that we'd like to see. The one thing that seems to be trending up is his free throw shooting. If he can get that to around 70% he'll be ok.

That is up to Ben and the 76ers. Great players never stop working and developing their game. Ben should want to be the best player he can be. Being able to score in the widest variety of ways not only makes him better, but helps his teammates and helps the 76ers win.

This becomes most evident in the playoffs, but we've seen the issues manifest itself in regular season games too against the better teams. They know Ben will not shoot and they use that to their advantage. Hopefully, that will become unacceptable to Ben.

[xogfog]

I've said it before, but the key to Simmons is not being able to shoot threes, but to make foul shots. With his ability to drive if he can hit foul shots late in games, that would be invaluable to the teams success and they would not have to worry about him late in games. He already seems to be shooting foul shots better and that will only build his confidence going forward.

[bigegypt0417]

Anecdote aside...there is no real indication Ben Simmons isn't working on making his game better.

The only thing that was missing from your post was a video montage with a cool "work hard" song in the background.

[bigegypt0417]

Foul shots and at the very least a decent mid range jumper.

Ben Simmons is one of 4 offensive weapons the sixers have on the floor when the starting lineup is on the court...doubling Simmons should lead to the defense being punished by another player.

[zambonir]

I agree there is no reason to think he didn't work hard in the off-season, or other off-seasons. It also seems clear that both the coach and the front office don't think this is as important as fans do, or at least, are more patient with someone who is still a very young, if high-paid/high-expectaton player. NBA teams barely practice once the season starts so I wouldn't expect magic at this point.

He can be better, but at some point it's a bit like wishing Rollins would be a walk-machine, or Howard would strike out less (or hit singles away from the shift). It might not happen, and maybe that means Simmons isn't a league-MVP caliber player, just an All-Star. Great players are also a bit psychotic in their focus and desire to win (Jordan, Kobe) and I'm not sure Simmons has that - he seems like a nice kid. But there are a lot of years left before we'll really know what he can be.

[phillychuck]

If he improves his foul shooting to around 70% and starts converting around the basket at a better rate (he's missing too many easy shots) the jumper would just be a bonus.

His improvement on defense this year is really noticeable. I'd like to see them manage his minutes a bit better. 30-32 instead of 36-38.

[VoteForKalas]

Absolutely pathetic display v one of the worst teams in the East so far tonight

If they do not wake up in the 4th, they'll lose and fall to 5-7 on the road

[VoteForKalas]

Again I NEVER said Simmons does not work on his game. You always attack the poster and make up straw man arguments. FOCUS on the content of the post and leave me out of it. Got it? Hopefully, this time you finally will.

The point is great players do not ever let up or feel satisfied with their game. Simmons needs to develop and USE in real games a jump shot and improve at the foul line to be a more complete player. If he shoots 3-pters, that is gravy IMO, but he needs to make defenses honor his shot and punish teams that foul him.

Otherwise, I think he has got all the skills to be great and am very glad he is a 76er.

[kmc1019]

Turnovers tonight:
Embiid and Simmons 15
Wizards 11

Inexcusable, Embarrassing.

[bigegypt0417]

At some point you will need to move one of the two.

I love Joel but his basketball IQ is absolutely dreadful.

I would move him for a big package of young talent and picks.

The sixers have lost 10 consecutive games in Washington.

[bigegypt0417]

Again I NEVER said Simmons does not work on his game. You always attack the poster and make up straw man arguments. FOCUS on the content of the post and leave me out of it. Got it? Hopefully, this time you finally will.

You indicated that "great players never stop working on their game"

So either you just enjoy cliché or you seem to think that possibly Ben Simmons may not work hard on his game.

The substance of your post is what I addressed. If you took it as an attack then perhaps that is an issue you have with people telling you that you may be wrong.

You have made several comments based in sarcasm about Ben's game and the work he puts in to it. Don't get mad when someone points out your anecdote doesn't translate to fact.

[frylock]

I don't care if Simmons "works hard" on his game or not, but whether he does or not, he sure doesn't apply it during games in a beneficial manner. This is a good team on talent, but not a true championship contender and Simmons is a big reason why, IMO.

And I've never seen a player with his size and athleticism be so soft driving to the basket / around the rim. I don't believe he'll ever change, so it's just sad that he is our basketball future.

[bigegypt0417]

You talking about Simmons or Embiid?

I'm not sure soft is a word i heard to describe him as almost every shot he takes is a drive to the basket.