NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2020-21 NBA season with title hopes. Unlike most of the teams in the league, the 76ers actually earned that claim. They had two All-Stars, a third player who is capable of putting up All-Star numbers, and a great supporting cast mixed with a veteran coach in Doc Rivers. They were ready to roll.
But the game is played on the floor and not on paper. The regular season gave the 76ers the confidence needed to head into the playoffs with the team that was constructed but failure was just a few shots away. What could they have done during the season that may have prevented their meltdown against the Atlanta Hawks in the second round?
What If Ben Simmons Had Heart?
The 76ers went into the season knowing that they would go as far as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons took them. For much of the regular season, the plan paid off. But against the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the playoffs, their plan backfired.
Simmons resembled the 2nd player off the bench more than a 3-time All-Star. Labeled as a top defender in the league, Simmons was no match for Trae Young and the perimeter game of the Hawks. At 6’10, Simmons refused to use his height advantage on the offensive side of the court.
Bad series happens but it’s the plays that Simmons didn’t make or refused to make that has fans questioning his heart and desire to remain a 76er. Simmons never seemed invested in the series and Game 7 was proof that he didn’t have the heart for the big stage.
Free throws were missed, not just in the deciding game but all series and playoffs long. Simmons shot just 34 percent from the line. But in one play, Ben Simmons gave up on his team and possibly decided he wanted out of Philly. With the team down two, Simmons had a clear lane to the basket for an easy dunk. Instead, he decided to pass the ball. It should have been a tie game but that one play changed everything.
What If Morey Pulled That Trigger At The Deadline
The Philadelphia 76ers were one of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference all season but it was clear they needed more. With the Trade Deadline approaching, the rumors began that GM Daryl Morey was contemplating making major moves. Needless to say, the 76ers were being linked to a few big-name players.
James Harden, Zach LaVine, and Kyle Lowry were a few of the stars being mentioned. Looking back after the Hawks’ series, and it’s clear that Morey dropped the ball there as he walked away with only PG George Hill instead of Harden or Lowry.
What if he had landed Harden or Lowry then their second-round exit probably would not have happened. Morey did not want to part ways with his 24-year old PG but now, he has to be kicking himself for that decision. With a PG who can drive and not afraid to take the perimeter shot, the 76ers would have been in better shape heading into the playoffs.
Harden and Lowry are perimeter threats plus they can knock down their free throws. Two areas where Simmons has failed to up his game since entering the league. One move and the 76ers could be moving on against the Milwaukee Bucks with their dreams of a championship still intact.
What If Doc Rivers Changed His Lineup?
Since Morey didn’t make any deadlines moves, it was up to head coach Doc Rivers to win with what he had. The 76ers rode the tired legs of Joel Embiid but received solid contributions from Seth Curry and Tobias Harris at times. But with Simmons struggling, why didn’t Rivers make the switch to play George Hill at the lead position and move Simmons to the 4 and Harris to the 3? This would have put the Hawks in a position to guard all 5 players on the floor besides just 4.
Hill is a veteran but his playing time with the second unit never materialized the way it should have. Hill would have been a great fit with the first unit as he has a knack for getting to the rim and a more than capable perimeter player. Rivers easily could have also loved Tyrese Maxey into the starting lineup but choose to keep his offensive abilities on the second unit.
The 76ers struggled to hold leads in the second half and Rivers’ inability to change his lineups is a big reason for that.
