The Philadelphia 76ers have done it again. A good set-up squad alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid has failed to reach the Western Conference Finals yet again. Philly had reached the NBA Finals almost 2 decades ago when Allen Iverson led 76’ers lost 4-1 against the eventual champions Los Angeles Lakers.
Philly clinched the No.1 seed and were destined to reach the finals, but the downfall of Philly started in Game 5 at home, where they lost a 26-point lead entering the 4th Quarter. They lost 109-106 and were outscored by Hawks by 40-19. The series was won by the Hawks in 7 games
One of the few reasons to blame the series loss is Ben Simmons. However, the scenario in Round 1 of the playoffs against the Washington Wizards was altogether different. Entering Round Two, Philly were favorites to win it all, but that was when the struggles of Simmons started. The Franchise star earns $30 million-plus each year had a horrendous series against the Hawks. He averaged 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists for the series, and the game stats were more surprising for a player of his stature – 5 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds and just took 4 shots in 36 minutes on the court.
The funniest part in the Playoffs is, he has averaged the worst Free Throw shooting average in a single playoff than Shaquille O’Neal. Simmons shot an abysmal 15-45, where the Game 5 and Game 6 comeback was led by Hack-a-Simmons (deliberate fouls on Ben Simmons to make him shoot Free Throws) where he made 6 of 18 free throws in the Two games. ‘
Following the Playoffs, a lot of controversial statements were made by Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid indirectly blaming Ben Simmons for the Loss.
Few of the Stats for the Playoffs :
76’ers became the 1st No.1 seed to lose Game 7 against a team seeded No.5 or lower since 1981
This is 1st 76’ers Game 7 loss in 53 years.
Simmons played 11 minutes in the fourth quarter without attempting a field goal. This was the fourth consecutive game he didn't take a shot in the fourth quarter. In the last six games of the Hawks series, he attempted just one field goal in the fourth quarter despite playing 44 minutes.
Seth Curry made 31-53 three pointers for the series averaging 59.6% from beyond the arc. That’s the highest percentage in NBA history by a player in any series on 45 or more 3-point attempts
What’s next for Ben Simmons?
76’ers General Manager Daryl Morey had a golden opportunity in the trade deadline in January 2021, he had an opportunity to trade Ben Simmons for James Harden where he passed out saying he was happy keeping Simmons due to his longevity and want to build a team around him.
However, this plan did not pan out according to the process and Co-Superstar Joel Embiid had to do it all himself. Playoffs were kept close by Seth Curry and Matisse Thybulle who stepped up and were more effective alongside Joel Embiid.
Should Ben Simmons be on a Move?
Trade Rumors :
1. Golden State Warriors – While the trade seems to be less realistic as the Philly wont barge in for less, they would definitely ask for a ball handler in exchange where they will have to give up on Klay Thompson at least to get Ben Simmons in the squad.
2. Portland Trailblazers – Time to break up Dame Lillard and CJ McCollum? It has been almost half a decade that the duo has been playing together and has been dominant in the regular season, but this has not been conclusive for the Blazers and has reached the NBA Western Conference Finals just once in the past decade. Its time for Ben Simmons for CJ Trade?
3. OKC Thunder – Rebuild around Ben Simmons? – The Thunder control the draft picks and almost the entire draft lottery for the next 5 years at least and could lure the Philly by offering them picks and a few role players alongside Shai?
4. San Antonio Spurs – Replace the less effective DeMar DeRozan?
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