NBA 2019-2020 season thread

[JBcat]

Philly has had some problems.

- Embiid has missed 4 of 11 games, a rate that if it holds has him playing just 53 games

- The 4 starters besides Embiid can't hit three pointers to save their lives. Horford 32%. Richardson 28%. Harris 20%. Simmons 0.00%(no 3PTAs).

- No growth from Simmons, if anything, he has regressed. Teams are just going to pack the paint if no one can hit 3s and the main ballhandler can't hit a shot outside 12 feet.

- Even their free throws are suffering. They are bottom 10 in both FTM and FT%.

- Harris has been awful. Not much else to say there.

-Bench isn't really helping at all

But, they play great defense, which is why they are 7-4 and not 4-7 and I could see the team getting even better defensively as the year continues. If they can figure out their three point shooting woes, through improvement, trade or Simmons actually trying to take a three pointer, they will most likely be a top 2 Eastern team.

I imagine the 3 point shooting for Horford, Harris, and Richardson will improve as they are all around 36% for their career, and between the 3 of them they take about 15 threes a game.  If they are all healthy and shooting at their normal clip I’d still be worried about them in a playoff series.

Yeah, I agree. Maybe you missed my last sentence.

If they can figure out their three point shooting woes, through improvement, trade or Simmons actually trying to take a three pointer, they will most likely be a top 2 Eastern team.

Improvement was the first thing I said.

Oops I did.  I wonder if Horford is second guessing his decision at all, although I believe he made his decision prior to knowing Walker was coming.

[celticsclay]

Has Ben Simmons improved at all since entering the league?

His stats are remarkably similar over the course of his career so far.

I think he recognizes defenses and coverages a bit better.

But I don't think he's really added much to his game. Still primarily a transition player. It is shocking how steady his stats are.

His stats are actually down quite a bit across the board in every category except steals (both adv, per 36 and advanced). He isn't really even in contention for an all star birth right now with Irving, Walker, Young, Beal all significantly lapping him. Definitely concerning given this is his third year (and he had some extra developmental time after being drafted to work with professional staff)

[RockinRyA]

Has Ben Simmons improved at all since entering the league?

His stats are remarkably similar over the course of his career so far.

I think he recognizes defenses and coverages a bit better.

But I don't think he's really added much to his game. Still primarily a transition player. It is shocking how steady his stats are.

His stats are actually down quite a bit across the board in every category except steals (both adv, per 36 and advanced). He isn't really even in contention for an all star birth right now with Irving, Walker, Young, Beal all significantly lapping him. Definitely concerning given this is his third year (and he had some extra developmental time after being drafted to work with professional staff)

You guys are being too hard on Ben Simmons. He's just a rookie!!

[Who]

I don't think Ben Simmons has regressed. I believe his stats are down due to the makeup of his team. More hands to feed on offense and more rebounders competing for boards.

Philly are outrebounding teams by 7 boards a game so far this season after out-rebounding teams by 4 last year. This makes sense. They have phenomenal size. Embiid and Horford together. Then Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons on the wings (both PF size players). Then Josh Richardson (SG size) at PG.

Simmons' assists are down a bit from 7.9 to 6.6 but part of that is down to their bad shooting to start the season. Another part due to their dodgy spacing (team makeup). And another part due to having so many hands to feed. All 5 starters are quality offensive players who need to touch the ball and be involved in the offense. It is more of a shared load now than before. Same with Simmons' points per game.

I don't think those stats (ppg, rpg, apg) show regression. It is more about the team that they have now and how that group operates. More size. More rebounders. More perimeter defensive assignments for Simmons. More hands to feed on offense. More of a shared load. Dominant defensive group with dodgy spacing limiting their offense.

[celticsclay]

I don't think Ben Simmons has regressed. I believe his stats are down due to the makeup of his team. More hands to feed on offense and more rebounders competing for boards.

Philly are outrebounding teams by 7 boards a game so far this season after out-rebounding teams by 4 last year. This makes sense. They have phenomenal size. Embiid and Horford together. Then Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons on the wings (both PF size players). Then Josh Richardson (SG size) at PG.

Simmons' assists are down a bit from 7.9 to 6.6 but part of that is down to their bad shooting to start the season. Another part due to their dodgy spacing (team makeup). And another part due to having so many hands to feed. All 5 starters are quality offensive players who need to touch the ball and be involved in the offense. It is more of a shared load now than before. Same with Simmons' points per game.

I don't think those stats (ppg, rpg, apg) show regression. It is more about the team that they have now and how that group operates. More size. More rebounders. More perimeter defensive assignments for Simmons. More hands to feed on offense. More of a shared load. Dominant defensive group with dodgy spacing limiting their offense.

Does this argument hold true for all his advanced stats too? It looks like all of his advanced stats are down also... also I am not necessarily sure I buy the more mouths to feed argument. JJ Reddick shot 13.5 times a game last year and so did Jimmy in his time in Philly that is about 26-27 shots freed up every game (this is almost exactly what Horford and Richardson are going for) . On top of that Embid has missed 4 games so far of 11 (Horford also skipped one) so he has definitely had times to shine and some games with even more opportunity. Seems like just kind of a blind defense of simmons with no substance.... he has been bad compared to last year.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm pulling for Coach Fizdale and the Knicks tonight.

He is a quality coach. Not fair for him to be on the hot seat.

[jambr380]

Oops I did.  I wonder if Horford is second guessing his decision at all, although I believe he made his decision prior to knowing Walker was coming.

I never quite got this argument with Horford. I understand Morris is taking some heat about his re-decision to NYK, but would it really be that scandalous if Horford changed his mind to re-sign with the team he played with the last three years? Especially since the decision would have been made before the moratorium anyway. I know D Jordan had some issues a few years ago with the Mavs/Clips thing, but that happened way later and the Mavs eventually traded for him.

All I am saying is that if Horford really wanted to continue playing for the Cs, there were obviously avenues to make that happen without it reflecting too poorly on him. I believe he thought his best option to win was with the Sixers and he was satisfied (enough) with that decision even when presented with the Kemba info.

[Phantom255x]

I think another thing to consider is the luxury tax. If we'd bought back Horford, we'd be over for a 2nd straight year, and in Ainge's defense I don't think we knew for sure how this team would look with Kemba and much of the same (minus Kyrie, Rozier and Morris). As a result, to avoid paying a repeater tax in a few years for potentially an "average" group, they decided to stay under and it affected what they were willing to offer Horford (if they were even considering it).

[celticsclay]

Oops I did.  I wonder if Horford is second guessing his decision at all, although I believe he made his decision prior to knowing Walker was coming.

I never quite got this argument with Horford. I understand Morris is taking some heat about his re-decision to NYK, but would it really be that scandalous if Horford changed his mind to re-sign with the team he played with the last three years? Especially since the decision would have been made before the moratorium anyway. I know D Jordan had some issues a few years ago with the Mavs/Clips thing, but that happened way later and the Mavs eventually traded for him.

All I am saying is that if Horford really wanted to continue playing for the Cs, there were obviously avenues to make that happen without it reflecting too poorly on him. I believe he thought his best option to win was with the Sixers and he was satisfied (enough) with that decision even when presented with the Kemba info.

Got to click on this to make the smaller picture bigger, but definitely think there is a chance al wishes he was here still. Brett Brown makes Stevens look like a superhero.

[CelticsPoetry]

Has Ben Simmons improved at all since entering the league?

His stats are remarkably similar over the course of his career so far.

I think he recognizes defenses and coverages a bit better.

But I don't think he's really added much to his game. Still primarily a transition player. It is shocking how steady his stats are.

His stats are actually down quite a bit across the board in every category except steals (both adv, per 36 and advanced). He isn't really even in contention for an all star birth right now with Irving, Walker, Young, Beal all significantly lapping him. Definitely concerning given this is his third year (and he had some extra developmental time after being drafted to work with professional staff)

Who the heck is Young?

[gouki88]

Has Ben Simmons improved at all since entering the league?

His stats are remarkably similar over the course of his career so far.

I think he recognizes defenses and coverages a bit better.

But I don't think he's really added much to his game. Still primarily a transition player. It is shocking how steady his stats are.

His stats are actually down quite a bit across the board in every category except steals (both adv, per 36 and advanced). He isn't really even in contention for an all star birth right now with Irving, Walker, Young, Beal all significantly lapping him. Definitely concerning given this is his third year (and he had some extra developmental time after being drafted to work with professional staff)

Who the heck is Young?

Trae Young

[celticsclay]

Has Ben Simmons improved at all since entering the league?

His stats are remarkably similar over the course of his career so far.

I think he recognizes defenses and coverages a bit better.

But I don't think he's really added much to his game. Still primarily a transition player. It is shocking how steady his stats are.

His stats are actually down quite a bit across the board in every category except steals (both adv, per 36 and advanced). He isn't really even in contention for an all star birth right now with Irving, Walker, Young, Beal all significantly lapping him. Definitely concerning given this is his third year (and he had some extra developmental time after being drafted to work with professional staff)

Who the heck is Young?

Trae Young

Averaging 28 and 8 with 46% shooting, just led hawks over denver in denver.

[gouki88]

Has Ben Simmons improved at all since entering the league?

His stats are remarkably similar over the course of his career so far.

I think he recognizes defenses and coverages a bit better.

But I don't think he's really added much to his game. Still primarily a transition player. It is shocking how steady his stats are.

His stats are actually down quite a bit across the board in every category except steals (both adv, per 36 and advanced). He isn't really even in contention for an all star birth right now with Irving, Walker, Young, Beal all significantly lapping him. Definitely concerning given this is his third year (and he had some extra developmental time after being drafted to work with professional staff)

Who the heck is Young?

Trae Young

Averaging 28 and 8 with 46% shooting, just led hawks over denver in denver.

He's no James Young, that's for sure

[Who]

I don't think Ben Simmons has regressed. I believe his stats are down due to the makeup of his team. More hands to feed on offense and more rebounders competing for boards.

Philly are outrebounding teams by 7 boards a game so far this season after out-rebounding teams by 4 last year. This makes sense. They have phenomenal size. Embiid and Horford together. Then Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons on the wings (both PF size players). Then Josh Richardson (SG size) at PG.

Simmons' assists are down a bit from 7.9 to 6.6 but part of that is down to their bad shooting to start the season. Another part due to their dodgy spacing (team makeup). And another part due to having so many hands to feed. All 5 starters are quality offensive players who need to touch the ball and be involved in the offense. It is more of a shared load now than before. Same with Simmons' points per game.

I don't think those stats (ppg, rpg, apg) show regression. It is more about the team that they have now and how that group operates. More size. More rebounders. More perimeter defensive assignments for Simmons. More hands to feed on offense. More of a shared load. Dominant defensive group with dodgy spacing limiting their offense.

Does this argument hold true for all his advanced stats too? It looks like all of his advanced stats are down also... also I am not necessarily sure I buy the more mouths to feed argument. JJ Reddick shot 13.5 times a game last year and so did Jimmy in his time in Philly that is about 26-27 shots freed up every game (this is almost exactly what Horford and Richardson are going for) . On top of that Embid has missed 4 games so far of 11 (Horford also skipped one) so he has definitely had times to shine and some games with even more opportunity. Seems like just kind of a blind defense of simmons with no substance.... he has been bad compared to last year.

Some advanced stats like wins shares and PER would be greatly effected by this, yes. I don't know about some other stuff like box +/- (I don't think that one should be effected).

[celticsclay]

I don't think Ben Simmons has regressed. I believe his stats are down due to the makeup of his team. More hands to feed on offense and more rebounders competing for boards.

Philly are outrebounding teams by 7 boards a game so far this season after out-rebounding teams by 4 last year. This makes sense. They have phenomenal size. Embiid and Horford together. Then Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons on the wings (both PF size players). Then Josh Richardson (SG size) at PG.

Simmons' assists are down a bit from 7.9 to 6.6 but part of that is down to their bad shooting to start the season. Another part due to their dodgy spacing (team makeup). And another part due to having so many hands to feed. All 5 starters are quality offensive players who need to touch the ball and be involved in the offense. It is more of a shared load now than before. Same with Simmons' points per game.

I don't think those stats (ppg, rpg, apg) show regression. It is more about the team that they have now and how that group operates. More size. More rebounders. More perimeter defensive assignments for Simmons. More hands to feed on offense. More of a shared load. Dominant defensive group with dodgy spacing limiting their offense.

Does this argument hold true for all his advanced stats too? It looks like all of his advanced stats are down also... also I am not necessarily sure I buy the more mouths to feed argument. JJ Reddick shot 13.5 times a game last year and so did Jimmy in his time in Philly that is about 26-27 shots freed up every game (this is almost exactly what Horford and Richardson are going for) . On top of that Embid has missed 4 games so far of 11 (Horford also skipped one) so he has definitely had times to shine and some games with even more opportunity. Seems like just kind of a blind defense of simmons with no substance.... he has been bad compared to last year.

Some advanced stats like wins shares and PER would be greatly effected by this, yes. I don't know about some other stuff like box +/- (I don't think that one should be effected).

His offensive rating and defensive rating are both down. Also curious why you think Horford and Richardson are more mouths to feed than reddick and butler?