Main reason why I take Simmons is that the floor is already higher, and there is so much untapped potential. Forget 3 point shot, if he can develop a reliable midrange game that opens up his game tenfold. I’m relying on Silas to unlock that potential and instill confidence in a guy that’s only 24, has made the All Star team 2x out of his 3 seasons, won ROTY, was 4th in DPOY, and made the All Defensive first team. At his floor he is a foundational piece that is the 2/3rd option on a contender. Offense is easier to fix, especially with a brilliant mind like Silas, than defense. On that side of the ball he can guard 1-5, has the strength and length to keep up with the best of forwards in the league.
Giannis was never as bad as Simmons. In fact, I can't think of a worse shooter in the NBA that is not a center.
I'd be fascinated to know how Houston ranks some of the top young "stars" that could be available - Simmons, Herro, Siakam, MPJ, & Ingram that immediately come to mind that could potentially be available. Ultimately I think all of them are in the same zone of high upside (multiple All-Stars at a minimum) albeit with either major current limitations or limited opportunities to date. The difference to me is what else the other team can offer (Duncan Robinson, Norman Powell, legit picks, etc.). IMO, Herro is the 1 guy on the list that could be replaced at 65% - 75% with good drafting or even another small trade (thinking Hield).
Simmons can throw up as many airballs as Giannis, he just prefers not to. Simmons is too gun shy. If MDA was coaching him, he'd be empowered and encouraged for sure. Perhaps next season.
Silas is gonna be his shooting coach and psychologist? Not only is that jumper broken, but he doesn’t have the confidence to even shoot a jumper.
No Miami comes in hot- applies pressure to Philly to offer Simmons, but if Philly is serious about the season out with Simmons, u guys will still be patient. Simmons is the white whale. To me this accelerates a trade but it’s not a guarantee
Why do you think that coaching is going to change Simmons into a shooting capable player? Do people believe that Philadelphia all these years had discouraged him or forbidden him to shoot? His coach even publicly tried to coax and encourage him to take a shot any shot. His teammates stopped playing and started clapping when he shot a 3 once a year. What will Sillas do differently to convince him to take one jumpshot?
U can just tell how low his confidence is. It’s pretty much nonexistent. The majority of these attempts are heaves that no one is expected to make, so if he misses them, it doesn’t matter because he’s supposed to. He takes those heaves because it’s less embarrassing to miss those. Being given 15 feet of space and still bricking is embarrassing.
