Bill Simmons is already drawing a line through the Sixers, and Philadelphia fans are not having it.
With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining a roster that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, the 76ers spent their offseason looking like a team built for the top of the East. Simmons, though, isn’t buying the hype. He argued that the pieces are at different points in their careers and that the fit could be tougher than it appears.
“I’m not sure guys are at the right points of their career for a team like this,” Simmons said. “Nobody's at the right point of their career for a team like this.
And I can't get past it. I think the East is really good.
I think they're going to have stretches where they go 3-7 in 10 games.”
That take landed badly with Sixers fans, who wasted no time pointing out Simmons’ ties to the Boston Celtics. One fan posted, “Some good old Celtics fan agenda here which as a Sixers fan I can appreciate 🤣,” @PhillyHotspur said.
There is at least some reason to expect a brand-new group to need time before it clicks. But Simmons went further than that, suggesting Philadelphia might not even avoid the play-in after placing six Eastern Conference teams ahead of them.
The early preseason results have done little to quiet the concerns around the new-look roster. Philadelphia opened with a win over the New York Knicks, then dropped back-to-back games to the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics to fall to 1-2 against Atlantic Division opponents.
It’s preseason, so none of it counts in the standings. Still, the Sixers would like to close on a better note, and they get one more shot at Boston on Oct.
- That comes after a 144-106 loss to the Celtics on Oct.
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Paul George Already Looks Like A Different Fit Next To Tatum
One preseason game was enough to give the Celtics a new conversation about how Jayson Tatum and Paul George might work together. Early returns suggested a cleaner, more natural fit on the wing, with George sliding into a complementary role that could ease the offensive load around Tatum and give Boston another high-level option who can create without crowding the same spaces.
Georges comfort alongside another star is part of why the matchup feels so intriguing. He has spent time in that kind of setup before, and the Celtics are already seeing how that background can translate into a different look next to Tatum, one that could sharpen the teams balance if the chemistry keeps building once the games count. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Starting Lineup Battle May Not Be As Open As Expected
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The biggest clues are in the middle and at the fifth starter spot, where Robinson and Walsh appear to be gaining traction over other options. Walsh, in particular, offers the kind of defensive edge and scheme versatility that can mesh with Bostons preferred style, which helps explain why he seems to be moving ahead of Payton Pritchard in that race while Robinson trends over Neemias Queta at center. [Read more 🡒]
Jayson Tatum Looks Right Again As Celtics Get Something Else From George
Jayson Tatum kept building toward a more comfortable offensive rhythm Saturday night, and the Celtics had enough around him to keep their preseason moving in the right direction. Boston handled Charlotte behind a balanced showing, with Tatum scoring 19 points and adding rebounds, assists and steals in a game that looked more like a tuneup than a showcase, which is exactly what the Celtics want at this stage.
Paul George did not have it going offensively, but he still found a way to matter by setting the tone on the other end. His activity and pressure on defense gave Boston another useful layer, the kind of contribution that can travel even when the shot is not falling, and it offered another reminder that there is more than one way to influence a game while the rotation settles in. [Read more 🡒]