And yeah, I agree for all of the reasons you mentioned in your astute comments, that Philadelphia and Simmons are basically stuck together since Simmons’ value cratered and Morey can’t afford to not get an All-Star in return for Ben. But I also think that Simmons now has locker room issues in Philly, and Wells Fargo Center might be the worst environment ever for a player to try to rebuild their confidence.

So who really knows what will happen?

Appreciate it! Never wrote directly about Simmons’ injuries, but I did write about the Sixers’ medical team (hint: not good).

https://medium.com/basketball-university/the-strange-history-of-the-sixers-medical-team-d37112d4411f?source=friends_link&sk=bae46794a941d552beb9f799d1decc31

🙏

Did you also watch Phoenix lose when Devin Booker scored 40+ multiple times as well? Double edged sword there, I think.

Perimeter defense does get more important as games go on, but help defense is still the name of the game in today’s game.

I’ll be optimistic if we start off hot again for a 3rd straight year (24-3 and 21-6 if I’m not mistaken). Until then/until the Lakers fill out the rest of the roster with some badly needed 3&D players, I’m in “prove it” mode.

I think L.A. can win the title, but I also think L.A. could lose to a team who schemes us out of having an competent offense.