Butler is going to end up leaving Philly holding the bag this summer. I just can't see him wanting to stay on a team that is fatally flawed.
How are they fatally flawed? Embiid, Butler, Simmons, Redick is a strong top 4. Their main problem is their 5th started and their bench. If they were to replace Wilson Chandler with Marcus Morris or similar level player, they'd have a really strong starting 5.
Edit: Your comment is especially funny since Butler was the one who stunk up the joint most of the night.
Reddick is having an awesome offensive season, but he is really brutal on defense and would probably be best served coming off the bench at this stage of the year. Part of the reason guards do so well against the 76ers is because of his defense. We also mercilessly attacked him last year in the playoffs. For just being a fan of embiid you sure defend the entire team a lot
If the Sixers could send Redick to the bench, they'd be the clear favorites in the East. They need Redick's shooting in the starting lineup. Redick works best with Embiid on the court. They work great together on offense and Embiid helps alleviate some of Redick's defensive deficiencies. The Sixer's main problem isn't Simmons lack of shooting, Redick's defense or the fit of their 3 stars. Their main problem is their 5th starter and their bench.
I offer positive and negative critiques of the Sixers unlike you and the other Sixers bashers who can't see past your green colored goggles. Contradicting nonsense like "the Sixers are fatally flawed because of Simmons" is just shooting fish in the barrel.
So you think 538 has some ax to grind against Simmons? Go shoot that fish in the barrel and explain to them why you are smarter than them. Jesus
I wasn't talking about 538 but since when did they start walking on water? Didn't they predict Hillary would win the election? Did you actually read the 538 article or just the headline? There was nothing about the Sixers being "fatally flawed" because of Simmons. The author referred to it as a problem that could be hampering their offense against better teams.
The author primarily uses DRE stat to show Simmons drop off between good and bad teams; however, there are lots of big names that show a big dropoff. Oladipo's numbers are essentially the same as Simmons. I'd argue that's a much bigger deal for Indiana since Oladipo is their #1 option. Simmons is essentially the Sixers #4 option in the half court. BTW, Klay Thompson's DRE numbers are worse than Simmons.
Since the Butler trade, the Sixers are 19-7 and rank 7th offensively. They're still adjusting their offense to incorporate Butler. As the 538 article mentions, they are starting to use Simmons more frequently as a big man. The Sixers would obviously be better offensively if Simmons improves his shooting. I'd prioritize it as follows: free throws, mid-range, 3 pointers.
As for late game situations like yesterday, the obvious solution is to have Butler not Simmons get the ball in the backcourt. I also would have Embiid in the front court not inbounding the ball. No need for a 3. The Sixers would have had a decided advantage if they tied it up and went to overtime.