i think theres a discussion of whether him letting himself go is trying to force the Rockets hand vs just what he's going to be going forward
I have dedicated much energy over the last decade to defending a flawed superstar in Russell Westbrook against the haters and losers, of which there are many. I am prepared to transfer that same energy to defending Ben Simmons.
And Harden plays no defense and provides zero value off the ball. Simmons has one serious flaw, but is so good at so many important things that I think it's dumb when people just talk about him as a shooter. He's 6'10" and can guard anyone from 1-4 at an elite level while also being a better playmaker/passer than most PGs. There's more to basketball than whether you shoot jump shots.
Internet on Westbrook: Stop shooting all those jumpers. You can't make them. Internet on Simmons: Why don't you ever shoot jumpers, even if you can't make them?
he's not a better playmaker/passer than harden. I'll give you the defense but thats about it. Harden actually gets to the line and shoots efficiently when he gets there and is more efficient at all 3 levels of scoring. All of which are much more magnified in the playoffs when its much more half court defense and everyone is clamping down so there aren't as many fast break opportunities to capitalize on like Simmons loves to do.
No one is denying that Harden (when he cares and is in shape) is better today than Ben Simmons. I get it if Philly makes that trade, even if I wouldn't. But it's dumb to look at Simmons' game and basically just say "can't shoot". A lot of people do that now.
But we're not looking at him in a vacuum. we're looking at him in direct comparison to the value he would add to the sixers vs Harden. No one is saying he's a bad player. I even agreed with you that I would much rather have simmons if I was the Rockets over the nets package.
Dont see why the Nets are gonna to get rid of the depth for Harden, unless they trade plenty of draft picks. Sixers need to rid of Simmons but they have no depth especially if they trade Maxey and Thybulle
Tbf there’s a happy median - right? Simmons is to the point where you assume it’s between his ears and you should feel like you’re shaming someone with an illness. Otherwise there’s an element of selfishness there for not evolving his offense or FT shooting at the expense of the team.
I was just going to ask “aren’t the Cavs winners here?” I do love Exum though. Always hurt but like him.