It kind of looks like they're throwing him under the bus, which is pretty unfair given this: His +/- is way higher than Trae Young's, for example... (Cue usual trashing of +/-)
I still say that if the Sixers could get Kyle Lowry then trading Simmons for CJ makes a lot more sense for them. I think the reason they didn't get pay what it took to get Lowry at the trade deadline was in part because they didn't see him and Simmons coexisting. But SOMEBODY needs to get Simmons to see (a) a sports psychologist and (b) a shot doctor. The former is more important than the latter, because his shot isn't mechanically terrible, he has just lost all belief in it.
Simmons could work here IF, and ONLY IF, he A: changed positions to PF/SF (as a "point forward" in spot situations. think Evan Turner, with an even uglier shot). B: worked extensively on his form and shot C: Only cost CJ and maybe included a 2nd round pick D: worked on his attitude (he has an inflated sense of his abilities. I.e., he needs to be more modest about his game) F: NOT be the 2nd option (at best, he'd be a facilitator). Dame, Powell, Nurk and then MAYBE him.
Here's the thing about Simmons, though: if you want the BEST use out of him, you need to RUN. Dame doesn't like to run. I see Simmons as like the New Jersey Jason Kidd (who also couldn't shoot, although he still hit FTs) - you build the team around him and get out there and sprint. In the incredibly unlikely event we do end up with him, I would try to sell him on the idea of being Manu Ginobili. His job is to come in off the bench and fuck shit up. Just take the game by the scruff of the neck - create havoc. But you would need an incredible coach to actually sell that to a guy taken #1 in the draft. (I would also want to institute a Bob Kloppenburg (?) press defense. They take up a lot of energy, but they also make use of his considerable defensive talents, and they use those talents over 94 feet.)
Eyes also deceive. We only averaged 1 fewer possession per game than Philly this past year, and actually played faster than Philly the season prior.
What does that have to do with Dame wanting to push the pace? The vast majority of the game, he will get an outlet pass and then walk the ball up the court letting every single defender pass him up and go into a set defense.
