For those wondering how Simmons would have fit into Portland’s team/system; look no further than Justise Winslow. Simmons provides everything Justise does but he does it better. Simmons is taller, more athletic, a better passer and a better defender.
Except Justise doesn't think he's a centerpiece. And he actually seeks to improve his game from one year to the next. And he's not afraid to shoot from the perimeter when called for. And he's known as a good locker-room guy. There might be a few differences...
Why would he? He was barely hanging onto being in the league until we traded for him. Improve his game? You mean like his horrible jump shot he's had years to improve but didn't? I like Justice, but he's not remotely in the same class as Ben Simmons. If you can get Ben, you do it.
this is honestly the most shocking development for me. Winslow gamelog: (he should never ever attempt 7 threes in a game again).
Not only that, Ben Simmons can play center when needed. An additional center is a big area of need with our current roster. Obviously Simmons is way better than Trendon Watford.
Seriously, edit this shit dude. Delete everything you quoted except the part that you meant to that had the blurb about Ben Simmons' back injury.
Even with this, I'd rather take a big swing on Ben Simmons with our late lottery pick than Jeremi Grant.
Sorry about that. The weird thing is; when I go to edit it; none of that extra stuff is there. I don't know where it came from? So I deleted it and posted again without the highlighted part. Did that work?
Ben Simmons has a herniated disk in his back. Nash remains optimistic that Simmons will play at some point this season, but with just 11 regular-season games left, the organization is running out of time for the former All-Star to make his season debut. Simmons had an epidural last week to alleviate some pressure in his back. “He’s had this a couple years ago, so he’s had [herniated disks] throughout his career at some points,” Nash said. “And I guess there was a flare-up. I’m not sure when they recognized it was beyond a back flare-up and a herniated disk or what not, but somewhere along the line there, that was the reason for the epidural.”
I have a "bulging" disc in my back that first caused me trouble in my 20s and periodically flares up, but I can manage it with exercise and stretching (and using a standing desk) and in between flare-ups (which can be as much as a year apart and of varying severity - I'm just coming off a bad one, but after 3 weeks PT it's almost back to normal, and even when it was at its worst, it was only bad when I got up from a sitting position) it's no problem at all. I once heard that everybody's back looks horrible in scans, but not everybody is bothered by their apparently wonky backs. I will avoid surgery like the plague, and I think the general consensus is that surgery is an absolute last resort. Long story short: I don't see this as career-threatening for Simmons.
I was at the forefront of the Simmons to POR bandwagon, but I think we might have dodged a bullet. How is he STILL not back and playing?
If you believe the Nets it's his back that's keeping him from playing but yeah maybe he's really messed up or maybe he's behind the scenes saying he's not going to play for any team outside of LA or some shit and all of us that wanted to give the guy a chance had it wrong. I lean towards him just trying to get right physically and mentally after an extremely taxing year and think his future is still really bright and that doesn't have to be in California or any specific market or team.
