Simmons or Embiid; Who’d you rather?

[wdleehi]

At this point, I would rather build around Simmons.  Sometimes the best ability is availability.

With that said, I don't know if I would trade the players it would take.   

[Donoghus]

Probably neither given the cost (but never say never).

In a vacuum, though, I'd much rather have Embiid. 

[Phantom255x]

Embiid.

At least with Embiid I see a passion for trying to be the best and how bad he wants it (ex. when he cried after that brutal Game 7 loss to Toronto last season). Plus we know his all-world talent.

With Simmons, as good as he's been lately, I don't see him trying to improve his jump shot even 4 years later. He'll no doubt put up numbers, but he's not going to be a #1 option on a championship team unless he finds a jump shot.

I really think this Sixers team would have made the Finals by now if Simmons could simply shoot, in addition to everything they've had around him. But in crunch time, the Sixers basically are 4-on-5 in offense because teams know Simmons isn't shooting

[Moranis]

Depends on what I have to give up and thus what the remaining team would look like.

I'd probably lean towards Simmons given I think Embiid will cost a lot more, is far more injury prone, and I believe if Simmons was properly used could be pretty close to if not a better player than Embiid.  And yes I mean that last part.  The Sixers have always built their team around Embiid, but he and Simmons don't mesh well.  I often wonder if the Sixers had built their team around Simmons (even keeping Embiid), if they might have gotten far more success.  I think if you put Simmons on a team like the Kings in the Holmes role, he would be so good right now.  That team would be tailor made for Simmons skill set and playing as a big you are less worried about the outside shooting.  The match-up problems you'd have with that type of team would allow you to do so much. 

[gift]

Best shot at a championship=Embiid
Best shot at being good for 10+ years=Simmons

[ETNCeltics]

If I've got him for ~2 years or less, I'll take Embiid. Long-term, Simmons.

I'm not the biggest Simmons fan, but I don't think Embiid will make it to 30 as an elite player.

[ChillyWilly]

To me Simmons should be Giannis but with better vision. I personally think Simmons doesn't love basketball or isn't a driven person. If I was a Philly fan I'd be real disappointed in Simmons not growing his game with all that talent.

[slamtheking]

in a vacuum, Embiid.   if I have to factor in the likely cost of a trade, neither.

[Big333223]

Simmons is the safer bet for health reasons. I also think his combination of size, coordination, and vision is rarer even than Embiid's talent. I'd lean Simmons. And I'd be fascinated to see what someone like Brad did with him.

[seancally]

in a vacuum, Embiid.   if I have to factor in the likely cost of a trade, neither.

Agree. I would add, in a vacuum, Embiid without question. Even factoring in the trade expense Embiid fits better in this group. Embiid has MVP potential, best player on a championship team potential, NBA Finals MVP potential, etc. Simmons without a jumper does not.

[slamtheking]

in a vacuum, Embiid.   if I have to factor in the likely cost of a trade, neither.

Agree. I would add, in a vacuum, Embiid without question. Even factoring in the trade expense Embiid fits better in this group. Embiid has MVP potential, best player on a championship team potential, NBA Finals MVP potential, etc. Simmons without a jumper does not.

agree with that assessment in terms of what Embiid's talent level is.  I think a trade for him would gut the core we have leaving us worse than the current Sixers team.

[RPGenerate]

I've never really liked Simmons attitude in general, so I'll take Embiid. Has a far higher ceiling than Simmons IMO.

[Moranis]

To me Simmons should be Giannis but with better vision. I personally think Simmons doesn't love basketball or isn't a driven person. If I was a Philly fan I'd be real disappointed in Simmons not growing his game with all that talent.

Maybe that is it, or maybe it is he just hasn't been put in a position to succeed given he just doesn't fit well with Embiid.

[Phantom255x]

I don't know if Embiid is still hurt. But watching tonight's game, the Sixers seem to play so much better with Simmons in, Embiid out than the other way around. Both guys are flawed, but Embiid has a ton of injury risk and frankly, sometimes I feel like he just doesn't care. Certainly didn't play like he cared tonight.

Again, maybe he was on a minutes restriction that I don't know about, but the Sixers only went on runs when he was on the bench, and he spent a good chunk of the 4th on the bench.

Simmons meanwhile might grow into a true superstar without Embiid as it doesn't seem like the duo mesh well together on the court.

[keevsnick]

Simmons if for no other reason than he's younger and not injury prone.