In a recent press conference, Joel Embiid stated that getting rid of Jimmy Butler was a mistake and that the Sixers did it to make sure Ben Simmons had the ball in his hands. While saying it was a mistake to let Butler walk is stating the obvious, the second statement is even worse.
Just the sheer fact that Philadelphia chose to keep him (Ben), and yet we — the Sixers and the fanbase — are the bad guys. How we cheered for him even though he shot worse than Shaq from the free throw line. How we cheered for him even though he was not aggressive against a young, mediocre, inexperienced Hawks team. Yet, we are the bad guys.
Prime Jimmy Butler walked to accommodate Ben Simmons. Ben Simmons will no longer be here. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: it is Joel Embiid vs. the world. Management and the front office need a lot of work. Daryl Morey has not impressed. They are riding the No. 1 seed narrative by re-signing Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz.
Joel Embiid is rightfully fed up with Ben Simmons’ attempt to hold out from the Sixers.
Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard. You hold Ben Simmons until one of them becomes available. If they never do, you let Simmons rot on the bench and teach NBA players a lesson. Why even sign contracts anymore — the players always get what they want at the end of the day. Maybe we can make Simmons an example to the rest of the league. Similar to Anthony Davis’ antics in New Orleans. He even decided his destination. But he got what he wanted. It’s a players league. Well, Ben, you signed. So the Sixers can hold you until the right person becomes available.
That person as of late seems to be Kyrie irving. Former NBA Champion and the Future Hall of Famer Kyrie Irving is not yet vaccinated. Brooklyn requires you to be, eliminating Irving from any home games at the Barclays Center, which is why he may depart from Brooklyn. What are the Nets lacking? Defense.
But that may be too much pressure of a situation and destination for Rich Paul’s client. The deal makes sense. Irving would take a lot of weight off Embiid’s back and knees offensively. We have yet to see Joel run an efficient, consistent pick-and-roll with a guard as well. Kyrie would be the talk of the town.
Tyrese Maxey, Paul Reed, and Isaiah Joe I believe will begin a new process this year. All three are very special and had limited playing time because of Simmons’ presence in the rotation. Shake Milton has really yet to impress either. So it will be fun to see how Reed produces off the bench and gives the team energy. It will also be fun to watch our point guard (Isaiah Joe) pull up from 40. And our other point guard (Tyrese Maxey) attack the rim and get to the line with no fear.
Until a deal goes down, don’t expect a championship contending team this year. As the broken record replays, until next year.