The Philadelphia 76ers haven't even been eliminated from the playoffs yet and analysts are already starting to hit the panic button on the young squad. Star player Joel Embiid has been struggling to produce due to lingering illnesses, all while Ben Simmons hasn't been himself in the playoffs. With a lack of production from their two best players, the 76ers are now down 3-2 in their second-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
Yesterday, on ESPN's Get Up, Jalen Rose spoke passionately about the 76ers situation, saying the team needs more from Embiid. He also explained that Embiid and Simmons don't mesh well together, which means one of them needs to be traded.
"I feel like if you're going to build around Joel Embiid, that means trading Ben Simmons," Rose said.
Rose continued by explaining the tactical reasons for why Embiid and Simmons clash on the court. As he so eloquently states, their skillsets limit the 76ers on offense which is ultimately why they're struggling right now.
"Those are the two pillars of your team. Ben Simmons won't shoot the ball outside of the paint, and he can't shoot free throws," Rose explained. "When the playoffs come and the game slows down, you want Joel Embiid in the post—not at the three-point line. If Ben Simmons is on the baseline at the dunk spot, there's really no true room to operate and them to maximize their potential."
Do you agree with the former NBA player or is he completely off on this one?
[Via]
