NFL
By: Mark Wilson
The Philadelphia 76ers have tied their future to the scoring of Joel Embiid and the defense of Ben Simmons. It all sounds good on paper and the regular season but what happens in the playoffs is what will determine if the 76ers made the right call.
Simmons’ name was mentioned in trade rumors leading up to the trade deadline and while some fans defended Simmons, others wanted him gone. Simmons is a three-time All-Star, a lockdown defender, and a walking triple-double but is he enough to get them over the top?
Embiid may walk away as the NBA MVP this season but he needs help. Yes, the 76ers are leading the Eastern Conference but regular-season success does not equate to NBA Championships. Embiid needs Simmons to become something more. But we may have seen his ceiling already.
The issue with Simmons has been his inability to shoot from the perimeter. While the team has continued to win games, there will come a time when the 76ers will feel that pressure.
In his first year in the playoffs, it was chalked up to age. He was just getting his feet wet. In his second year in the playoffs, the front office surrounded Simmons with JJ Redick and Jimmy Butler which masked his playoffs issues. And the following season, he missed the playoffs entirely due to an injury. But this year, the entire league is watching. If he fails, then what?
Simmons is getting paid max money to produce like a reserve. On the year, he’s averaging 14.3 points, 6.9 assists, and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor. Solid numbers but imagine what he could do if he was a perimeter threat to a defense.
There have been too many games this year where Simmons has taken less than 10 shots per game. No one is expecting him to morph in Russell Westbrook or Stephen Curry but he must do more. Embiid has held his own but where is his help from a teammate labeled as an All-Star and the other cornerstone of the franchise?
Doc Rivers has said numerous times that he doesn’t mind if Simmons doesn’t shoot. He’s had a similar player and won a championship with Rajon Rondo but he also had three players in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett who could take over a game from the paint or perimeter.
Tobias Harris has the skills but he’s been inconsistent this year. The 76ers provided Simmons shooters this season with the additions of Seth Curry and Danny Green but if they struggle in the playoffs, who can Embiid rely on to take the pressure off?
What happens this season will be the true beginning of Simmons’ legacy. If he thrives and takes over games as he has shown, then his stock rises. But if he continues to play timid and not willing to live up to expectations and his contract, the Philadelphia 76ers will need to look elsewhere heading into next season.
No matter what fans feel about him, the City of Philadelphia is about toughness and winning. It’s time for Simmons to choose his fate.
