[Russillo] 76ers waiting on Rockets for Simmons / Harden deal; also PJ Tucker wants out

Ben Simmons is literally leaps and bounds better than every single one of those players. You put Simmons in a system with Silas, and he would turn into an absolute beast. The Nets package gives us a 7-8 seed in the West, and middling draft picks for years. You take that package if you're ok being mediocre for the next decade. Nobody wants to trade for the right to pay Caris LeVert like a star when he's shown NOTHING to deserve the contract that he wants.

 

The vast majority of players on that list are in a system where they can succeed. You put Ben Simmons in a situation where his court vision, defense, size, and athleticism are on display, and he will thrive.

 

Why? Just sit in the paint and wait for him to fire up bricks. You can't drive if you don't even have a threat of shooting the ball. Why does anyone even guard Ben Simmons? Leave him alone. CP3 would just wave at him and laugh. Team should treat him like Lou Dort.

All of his skills are great things to have if you can actually shoot the ball. But since he can't do the one fundamental thing about basketball that sets up the rest of his game he will never be the Superstar we need. Giannis gets away with it because he's like Shaq. Sheer size and length of them made them unstoppable. Ben doesn't have that.

 

I just dont see morey breaking up ben and joel. Yeah, its clear that ben is a whole lot better than those guys, but pairing ben with wall doesnt wake sense. Unless ben plays at the 4 and shoots threes now then why not. Regarding sixers picks and nets picks, id rather have the nets. Doc and morey are at the helm of the sixers and for sure, they are gonna compete for the next decade.

Nets on the other hand, i dont think kyrie and kd would stay more than 2 or 3 years and both are quite prone to injury so

 

He’s a walking 6’10 triple double but yeah whatever you say.

 

The elephant in the corner and the biggest problem is our dip$hitian owner.

Anyone we bring here will soon learn to hate it here as much as those that currently want out...

 

Simmons + Tobias Harris = Harden + Gordon + PJ in salary. Morey gets his favorite Rockets back. Rockets get younger, longer talent on long-term deals.

 

Flip Harris to 3rd team

 

Nah. The top list you can make the argument for.

 

Soo glad we had Westbrook who was the king of triple doubles this playoffs. Teams just ignored him. He will be fine in the regular season but you can't win a championship with a guy like that.

 

Who in the top is he better than?

 

Westbrook doesn’t have the size and BBIQ of Simmons not even close.

 

Ben Simmons can run a NBA offense, Giannis can't. I think it's clear you havent watched Simmons with the bolded.

 

Or the elite defensive presense. Seriously Simmons is like a top 5 defensive player in the entire league. On top of being one of the best ball handlers of all time above the height of 6'8". He also isn't a mental midget on the court like Westbrook.

People who compare him to Westbrook are incredibly dumb with that specific take.

 

Mentioned awhile back to look out for Tuck. Look out for the core.

Tuck is still loyal to James and understands where his mind is at.

Still, very messy all around.

 

Simmons should be the third option on a championship team. They were only contenders with Embiid and Butler. I don't see 2 other super stars walking into our team before Simmons hits 40 years old.

 

Tucker showed up to practice ... so hardens gonna practice on Monday with the rockets ?

 

If James stays and extends, Tucker should get extended as well.

If James goes to Philly. Tucker should be traded with him there.

 

I'm just telling you that within that brotherhood, the understanding is solid. I'm not saying I agree with everything Harden is doing, but the people around him get it.

Tuck wants a ring just as much, but consider the leverage and the contract situation. Baby steps.

Also, don't automatically count James out of Houston. There was patience with Russ, but he used his team to really force his way out of town. People underestimate Russ' ego in comparison to James.

Even if James is unhappy, he loves Houston.

Some see this as salvageable, many do not.

Fluid as all hell.