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A new approach should be expected in Philadelphia with two different types of stars and a new coach in Doc Rivers, who was hired just over three weeks ago. Morey had pursued Rivers to be head coach of the Rockets, and now they get to join forces in Philly. Together, Doc and Daryl will need to make it work. Simmons is allergic to shooting 3s, but he’s dynamic in the open floor and he assisted on more 3s than any player since his first NBA season in 2017-18. As much talk as there is about Morey’s offense, he’s also emphasized versatility and aggression on defense. Simmons is one of the game’s best defenders, and certainly one of the most flexible as he effectively neutralized players across positions last season and rightfully earned an All-Defensive Team nod.

Embiid posted up so much for good reason: According to Synergy Sports, he scored 1.1 points per post-up in the regular season and 1.2 points per post-up in the postseason, two of the most efficient big-man post-scoring numbers in history. Embiid has developed each season to become a potent post presence, and any team that has him would be foolish not to feed him opportunities there. Morey dumped Clint Capela not because he was a center, but because his offensive contributions were minimal compared to Embiid and he wasn’t quite elite on defense either.

Morey actually has a history of utilizing and coveting some of the game’s best bigs. He built his first Rockets teams around Yao Ming. In 2011, he made a run at Pau Gasol. In 2013, he acquired Dwight Howard, which obviously didn’t work out. In 2014, he came close to adding Chris Bosh in free agency. Morey has since used young players and bargains at center while leaning more and more into shooting and spacing, but a cook can work with only the ingredients they have.

Maybe Embiid and Simmons are destined for a breakup, but executives around the league say it would be shocking if it happened before next season—or during the season. The Rockets have experienced annual crash landings in the postseason, which Sixers fans can relate to. But you can’t simply blame the star players in either situation. The Sixers’ duo has had great success together and, in their own way, play an efficient brand of basketball. The problem is the lack of an offensive initiator who can generate plays in the half-court to elevate their strengths.

Quote (Trust100Percent @ Oct 28 2020 06:49pm)

The idea of having both the Horford AND Westbrook contract on the same team is haunting. Simmons/Westbrook together also makes no sense, I hate this for the Rockets.

Quote (MADmartigan @ Oct 29 2020 03:35pm)

If the Rockets acquired Ben Simmons then you can bet that Russell Westbrook would also be dealt in that scenario. Likely to the Knicks in a three-team deal. We'd be getting draft picks, expiring contracts and maybe a young player in the Westbrook trade. But I've been told the Rockets don't plan to rebuild right now and Stephen Silas believes he can win a championship with this aging roster centered around Harden and Russ. So that's all a moot point.

I must admit that landing Ben Simmons is appealing to me. It would accelerate the rebuilding plan.
But so would Trae Young or Luka Doncic in two yearswhen Harden and Westbrook likely opt out...

Do you start the rebuild now with Ben Simmons? Or do you try to win with Harden and Russ for at least two more years?
At the very least we should be trying to trade P.J. Tucker, Eric Gordon and Robert Covington. There's still value there.

Quote (MADmartigan @ Oct 29 2020 04:48pm)

Tillman Fertitta isn't cheap. He's trying to land an NHL franchise. The pandemic set all his businesses back.
Once things get back to normal he'll be making a tremendous profit. He's a ruthless but lovable business man.

I'm not worried about the Rockets' future. They'll compete right now no matter what they do but I'd rather rebuild.
I just think the current climate of the NBA is tough. We're unlikely to win an NBA Title with Harden and Westbrook.
Even if things go perfect for us next season do you really think we'll beat the Lakers, Warriors, Clippers in a series?

I just want to see a Houston Rockets team full of young talent. At some point I want first-round draft picks again. Daryl Morey ball full of analytics was fun but it's time to move on. I was a young kid full of dreams the last time the Rockets won the NBA Finals in 1995. And 25 years later we haven't even reached another NBA Finals. That's so deflating and heartbreaking. I'm almost ready to give up. I just want to believe the Rockets have a bright future. The James Harden era was so much fun and he brought us a lot of joy, but at some point we need to man up and admit it didn't work out like we wanted it to.

Quote (Sixers @ Nov 1 2020 11:22am)

Former #Sixers GM Sam Hinkie says that there is 'zero' chance that he will ever work in the NBA again

Hinkie also said of trading Simmons or Embiid: "did people forget what it took to get them?"

Quote (Giannis @ Nov 1 2020 01:39pm)

You’ll walk this back fast if they do trade one