How different would this season be if Horford re-signed with Boston and Philly decided to sign Kemba somehow?
this is assuming we also don't have irving right? We are probably the 7 seed and philly probably makes the finals and possibly wins.
Never know. Dysfunction is dysfunction. If Simmons & Embiid are the headcases, subbing out for Horford for Kemba probably isn't all of a sudden put them on a clear path to the Finals.
I don't think it changes too much for either team.
If Horford stays, Rozier probably stays too since Ainge has limited options elsewhere. I like that group. I like Rozier and I like how he played with the other guys here as a starter. I don't think they would be quite as good as this current team but I do believe they would be close and a very good team indeed. Ahead of Toronto, Miami and Indiana. Competing with Milwaukee and Philly (maybe maybe not) for best in the East.
If Kemba went to Philly, I think the fit there would be really bad just like it was with Jimmy Butler. It has nothing to do with Kemba (or Butler). It is about Ben Simmons and how limited he is in playing with other perimeter based players because of Simmons' inability to play off the ball / make jump-shots / space the floor. Philly might win a couple more regular season games than with Horford (due to Kemba's superior & needed offensive firepower) but honestly I'd fear them less in a playoff series.
I'd place Boston and Milwaukee as class of the East and Philly closer to the Toronto, Indiana, Miami teams.
I like Philly's team more with Horford on it even with all the bumps on the road they will suffer through during the regular season. I like the matchup issues they can create in a 7 game series and the strength of their team defense & rebounding with that huge lineup. I think that is a very difficult team to play against largely because it is such an unusual mix of players to see in today's NBA.
I like Boston's team more with Kemba on it. I like that added offensive firepower he brings to the team and this group has proved they can still play strong defense without Horford which was my main concern heading into the year.
Both teams better off with how things worked out in my opinion.