After missing the entire 2021/22 season due to a trade demand holdout and a subsequent major back injury, pricey Nets star Ben Simmons has become the centerpiece of fan expectations heading into ’22/23, writes Net Income of NetsDaily.
Beyond some official workout imagery from Brooklyn’s social media team and appearances at Summer League in Las Vegas and supporting WNBA Barclays Center neighbors the New York Liberty, the 6’11” Simmons has been relatively quiet this offseason. On October 3, fans will presumably get a chance to see Simmons play his first healthy game for his new team, facing off against his old team, the Sixers, in a preseason contest.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- After an intense offseason where it looked at times like Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would force their way out of town, Net Income of NetsDaily wonders if the team’s drama-filled summer will spill into training camp or the rapidly-approaching 2022/23 regular season. Net Income notes that “it appears” neither star has practiced with teammates at HSS Training Center during the offseason.
- After a productive summer, the Sixers are hoping to advance beyond the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2001, writes Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype in a 2022/23 season preview. Gozlan notes that the team took pains to shore up its depths. Highlights of Philadelphia’s offseason include adding two former Rockets-era teammates of All-Star point guard James Harden in veteran power forward P.J. Tucker and small forward Danuel House, trading for reserve guard De’Anthony Melton, and signing 2020 Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell and reigning G League MVP Trevelin Queen. Gozlan writes that the club could have the depth to capture the conference’s top seed this season, and that ascendant shooting guard Tyrese Maxey could emerge as an All-Star during his third NBA season. Everything of course revolves around the continued success 2022 MVP runner-up Joel Embiid, one of the best centers in the league. Gozlan notes that pick-and-rolls between Embiid and Harden could help the club help power the team’s offense.
- In case you missed it, Rory Maher of Hoops Rumors wondered on Friday in a Community Shootaround whether the Knicks would be able to make the play-in tournament in 2023. Let us know what you think!
Recapture*
Sixers success depends on Harden playing like the real Harden. We will know if yrs of not working out like he should be. Has taken it’s toll and this is who he is. If he’s at least 80% of his old self. Sixers will contend for the East. They did a good job of adding depth I agree. It’s still about Harden imo.
I think if Maxey can take an even bigger leap, Harden wouldn’t need to be an mvp caliber player. They have Embiid who’s probably gonna be battling Luka for the MVP anyway. They have 4 players in their starting lineup that can average 20 ppg. I agree they could have more depth to their bench but they’re easily a contender if everyone at least plays well. Not just Harden imo.
Harden will have a great regular season and then choke in the postseason. No title for the Sixers.
Absolutely no chance Simmons plays in the preseason game against the Sixers. The earliest the 76ers fans can expect to see Simmons is 11/22. I fully anticipate he will be given off both the 11/22 and 1/25 games though for “load management”. He will make his debut against the Sixers on 2/11/23 in Brooklyn because he’s too soft to show his face in Philly
Sixers have talent and depth, and had outstanding offseason. Their problem is their two stars Harden anf Embid. They are regular season players. They will both be mvp candidates, but embid will be hurt in the postseason and Harden will simply disappear as he always does in the postseason.
As I recall we went to game 7 against the Kawhi lead raptors and he made a miracle corner 3 for the win and they then went on to win the championship. So I wouldn’t Embiid is just a regular season player. For the past two seasons he’s been second in MVP voting but he doesn’t just disappear in the playoffs. Besides that year against the raptors with Jimmy Butler this next season is our best chance to go for it all again.
We finally have some solid depth and a well rounded team
Ben still plays basketball?
BKN situation could be interesting, and will be the latest test of 2k-ism. Individually, they’re easily the most talented team in the East (and probably the league), but the team culture looks like that of an expansion team coming off a poor performance in the expansion draft. The dysfunction that KD and his buddies created here has actually provided him a path for redemption. But it doesn’t appear he wants any part of travelling it.
Ben Simmons still plays basketball?