In today’s edition of How Can Ben Simmons Make the City of Philadelphia Hate Him Even More, the disgruntled point guard has reportedly cited Joel Embiid as a key reason for his trade demand.
According to the Athletic’s Sam Amick, while it is “nothing personal,” Simmons believes his partnership with Embiid has run its course. The reason, naturally, is that Embiid “blocks the runways” to the rim that are so essential to Simmons’ game.
As someone who has been more sympathetic than most to Simmons’ trade request, this part is just baffling. In fact, it’s the closest Simmons has come to complete tomfoolery in what many would call a one-man circus.
Ben Simmons no longer wants to play with Sixers MVP candidate Joel Embiid. Give me a break.
There are valid reasons, fan-related or otherwise, for Simmons to want a fresh start in a new city. On a personal level, after what happened in the playoffs, I get it. That said, the Embiid fit — while never perfect — should not be Simmons’ deciding factor, or anything close to it. If that’s the reason he is holding out, it is the best example yet of the poor self-awareness his detractors so commonly cite.
Embiid has done everything in his power to accommodate for Simmons’ complete dearth of shooting ability. He shot roughly 38 percent from 3 last season on a healthy volume, and has made a point to operate outside the paint in order to let Simmons drive downhill or operate in the dunker’s spot.
This comes not long after Simmons liking an Instagram post saying he should be “Greek Freak’ing” over the competition. The idea that Philadelphia has somehow limited his ability to attack downhill is absolute malarkey.
Simmons took approximately zero fourth-quarter field goals in game seven of the conference semifinals. Not because he was being poorly utilized, or because Joel Embiid was dominating possessions. It was because Simmons absolutely refused to shoot, and was no blatantly scared of the free-throw line that any trip within 10 feet of the rim psyched him out.
There is no doubting Simmons’ immense talent. And, yes, when he gets going downhill — when he’s doing his best Greek Freak impression — he is an absolute force. It even stands to reason that, in an expanded role on a team with a more natural stretch five, Simmons’ production could increase. That said, the reason Simmons hasn’t been doing his best Greek Freak impression is because he, more often than not, just plainly refuses to. He shies away from contact at the rim, is historically passive in the halfcourt offense, and doesn’t really know how to assert himself when co-starring with other more gifted halfcourt shot-makers.
Sure, if Simmons is option 1A in his new home, we could see a more aggressive version of him by default. Maybe he finally feels like he has something to prove. But no competitive team is going to feature Simmons as option 1A. If he can’t co-exist with other stars while maintaining some level of tempo-pushing aggression, even in the halfcourt, then he will forever be a cap on a contending team’s ceiling.
This is the absolute dumbest Ben Simmons report yet. Embiid has encouraged Ben’s aggression at every possible turn since the two started playing together. If Simmons blossoms in a new city, it will be by his own hand — not the subtraction of Embiid.