Extreme Philly Sports Forum

I dont see it as whining.  It's damned if he does or doesn't.  He doesn't play due to injuries and it's an issue, he wants to play more and it's an issue.  WTH?  Jo has always wanted to play IMO.  His body has betrayed him, yet he's given it his best w meniscus tears, broken eye sockets, torn digit tendons, Bells Palsy, etc.  And because he wants to play more now, thats an issue too.  Every player wants to play or at least should.  I know we're in these times of player maintenance, but players play.  If healthy Jo sat on the bench and didn't want to play, people would lose their ish!!!   Jo has never been asked that I can recall, to accept a different role.  He's been asked to be the #1 option for his entire career in PHI from Brown to Nurse.  He just wants to play more mins and he will, but it's up to NN to decide what those mins look like and his role moving forward. 

Im in agreement that Jo's role HAS to change, but has he ever been asked to do that?  Has PHI ever had a roster and playing style to ask him to do that?

I'm not against Joel. Hope springs eternal. But yet again he has to show some insight into his own condition/limitations and consider what the team needs, and some maturity. He's been cheering the others on with the wins which seems like a good thing in the attitude department, but he's also been whining about restricted minutes when opposing players have been blowing right past him. Maybe he IS just getting into basketball shape, but shouldn't he be aware of that. Shouldn't he know that 40 minutes wouldn't improve anything but his own points in the box score.

I love his enthusiasm but I think a championship this season may be a bridge too far. While Embiid has already exceeded my expectations for the beginning of the season, his potential for the season is still a big question mark. How will his knee hold up over an extended period of time? Can he defend as he has in the past? Will he be able to play in at least the 50 games he's averaged during his career? What will be the effect of the Sixers split personality? Time will tell. Before the season, I thought the Sixers had enough talent to surprise the fans and the league and now I'm even surprised at their spectacular start but let's keep our feet on the ground.

I applaud the young guys for trying to boost Embiid's wounded ego and build him up. I feel like we've won these games in spite of him (didn't see Game #4) and hope his defensive presence or lack thereof won't be a liability.  Win or lose, it's exciting to watch the young guys. I hope Joel holds up and doesn't force the old "all about me" style of play as his minutes go up. VJ standing in the corner is my concern. Can't decide whether to spring for League Pass???

I agree he hasn't played well but it's only the second game. He was playing well in the last couple of months of last year. Give him a little time before giving up. I think Drummond still has something left. He's lost weight since last year. He can still rebound.

Thanks to Drummond in the 4th quarter!! I forgive him for launching that ill-timed 3 in the third!

All true, Hollow but I don't think any of us are expecting an NBA championship this year. Games like this will be as good as it gets.

First game of the season against the Celtics (Boo) with a WIN....a crazy first outing by our rookie.. Joel on the floor not pouting and celebrating VJ at the end! It was GOOD. Be positive! Go Sixers!

I think it shows how unserious both Morey and Harris are about the team this upcoming year. Didn't make a real offer to Yabu at the start of free agency, supposedly because they had to make sure they had enough money for Grimes. But now it seems clear they weren't seriously negotiating with Grimes, either.

I guess we'll find out soon enough how "unserious" they are. One thing for sure, the Sixers front office can't read the room too well. Grimes ambitions for his next contract were pretty clear. That's why he came to us in the first place right? And now we can't even use him for the trade benefit. Why Morey thinks that players and their agents don't know how capable he is of OVERPAYING over-the-hill stars like Paul George, James Harden and no knees Embiid is beyond me. They made it clear that they were all in on Grimes, so gave no consideration to Yabu. I hope Paul George is ready to play center for his money.

Sadly, I don't think he'll ever live this down.

Did he try???

The source of Niang's anger at Ben is that he felt that Ben's high IQ point guarding would have boosted his own value as an off ball shooter.

Returning to the infamous play mentioned. Benny with the fake high IQ was in a position to dunk and did not. It was a very important moment in and important game.  Why are you talking about him? He's out of the league at the moment, so very few people share your continued assessment.

I know it's beyond your ability to actually believe that any non-white can ever be high IQ, but even card carrying Vinny Per can concede that Ben dribbles and passes at an elite level for a player his size.

You've got to STOP. I'm sure that was a real high IQ move by Benny to pass out of that infamous DUNK.