Liberty Ballers: All Posts by Jackson FrankHonestly have no idea what we’re arguing about anymore.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50717/lb-fav.png2023-09-21T08:00:00-04:00https://www.libertyballers.com/authors/jackson-frank/rss2023-09-21T08:00:00-04:002023-09-21T08:00:00-04:00How important will Danuel House Jr. be this year for the Sixers?
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<p>The veteran wing is entering his second season with Philadelphia after an up-and-down 2022-23.</p> <p id="kfAA7K"><em>We already looked at the </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/12/23867867/terquavion-smith-philadelphia-76ers-nba-time-what-to-look-for-in-the-sixers-two-way-contracts"><em><strong>two-way guys and players the team has signed to Exhibit 10 contracts</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/13/23870258/what-are-the-sixers-plans-for-filip-petrusev-philadelphia-76ers-nba-offseason"><em><strong>Filip Petrusev</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/14/23870385/will-sixers-fans-see-one-more-rain-making-performance-from-furkan-korkmaz-philadelphia-76ers-nba"><em><strong>Furkan Korkmaz</strong></em></a>,<em> </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/15/23868232/jaden-springer-sixers-nick-nurse-james-harden-tyrese-maxey-deanthony-melton-patrick-beverley"><em><strong>Jaden Springer</strong></em></a>,<em> </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/18/23871814/danny-green-sixers-nick-nurse-joel-embiid-danuel-house-jaden-springer"><em><strong>Danny Green</strong></em></a>, <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/19/23879264/mo-bamba-answer-backup-center-philadelphia-76ers-nba-joel-embiid-nick-nurse"><em><strong>Mohamed Bamba</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/20/23878985/patrick-beverley-sixers-signing-james-harden-daryl-morey-bulls-lakers"><em><strong>Patrick Beverley</strong></em></a><em> looking forward to how they could impact the team in the 2023-24 season.</em></p>
<h2 id="ba0aHM"><strong>Danuel House Jr.</strong></h2>
<p id="ryo2i3"><strong>Age:</strong> 30</p>
<p id="dsRqgP"><strong>Contract status:</strong> One-year, $4.3 million deal</p>
<p id="ZRZNGp">Last offseason, the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> brought in a pair of James Harden’s former <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a> teammates. The headliner was naturally P.J. Tucker, given his 2021-22 campaign, Joel Embiid’s complimentary soundbites and Tucker’s history with Harden and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. But joining all those folks in Philadelphia was also Danuel House Jr., who’d put together an encouraging final third of 2021-22 with the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com">Utah Jazz</a> and looked primed to offer wide-ranging point-of-attack defense and requisite off-ball offensive contributions. </p>
<p id="S09tdR">Instead, House began the year rather slowly and eventually fell out of the rotation before righting the ship in spot chances and emerging as an unsung hero of the Sixers’ surprising Game 5 win against the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a>. </p>
<p id="jWNvLY">Entering his second season with Philadelphia, a clear path to valuable minutes off the bench has emerged for House. If he can provide the point-of-attack chops evident at the end of the season and during his stint with Utah, he immediately embeds a rangy wing stopper the team lacks elsewhere (Tucker presents some of this, but he’s best donning various hats). If he can blend viable spot-up shooting with connective passing and some downhill juice off the catch, he’s an ideal complement offensively. The flipside, however, is his point-of-attack defense remains sporadic, much like it was early in 2022-23, and he opts out of too many catch-and-shoot threes for sidestep triples and chaotic forays inside. </p>
<p id="oDcMre">A month ago, with Georges Niang and Jalen McDaniels gone, it seemed head coach Nick Nurse & Co. may have to simply endure the ebbs and flows of House’s approach. Now, though, following the signings of Danny Green and Kelly Oubre Jr., the runway for House appears more crowded. Among these reserve wings, he can absolutely emerge as the most meaningful and logical fit alongside the centerpieces, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. It might just require increased discretion and a thinner margin for error. </p>
<p id="N9AIUH">The contract year line of thinking could prove relevant as well. House will be a free agent next summer. Perhaps, he rediscovers his 2021-22 form to land another rosy deal, regardless of whether it occurs in Philadelphia. Another year bouncing in and out of the rotation could muddy his outlook for free agency. That’s not to say it’s necessarily what motivates him, just that it’s not uncommon for players to really find themselves with another possible payday looming. </p>
<p id="CTEOc3">House’s inconsistencies left him outside the rotation across much of 2022-23. But Philadelphia’s depth is much worse this year. This is a highly flawed team, particularly on the wing. House can plug some of those holes. Much like Paul Reed, he offers a jolt of athleticism and quickness not abundant throughout the roster. Nurse’s last few Toronto squads were loaded with size, speed and mobility on the perimeter. House’s tools could entice him. A sizable role could be in the cards for the veteran wing. If that materializes, it’s probably a positive for the Sixers and makes them better. If not, many of the questions facing them will likely persist as they navigate 2023-24. </p>
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https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/21/23880969/important-danuel-house-jr-philadelphia-76ers-nba-nick-nurse-joel-embiidJackson Frank2023-09-19T08:00:00-04:002023-09-19T08:00:00-04:00Is Mo Bamba the answer at backup center for the Sixers?
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<p>The 2018 lottery pick is still searching for consistency as he enters his sixth season.</p> <p id="kfAA7K"><em>We already looked at the </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/12/23867867/terquavion-smith-philadelphia-76ers-nba-time-what-to-look-for-in-the-sixers-two-way-contracts"><em><strong>two-way guys and players the team has signed to Exhibit 10 contracts</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/13/23870258/what-are-the-sixers-plans-for-filip-petrusev-philadelphia-76ers-nba-offseason"><em><strong>Filip Petrusev</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/14/23870385/will-sixers-fans-see-one-more-rain-making-performance-from-furkan-korkmaz-philadelphia-76ers-nba"><em><strong>Furkan Korkmaz</strong></em></a>,<em> </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/15/23868232/jaden-springer-sixers-nick-nurse-james-harden-tyrese-maxey-deanthony-melton-patrick-beverley"><em><strong>Jaden Springer</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/18/23871814/danny-green-sixers-nick-nurse-joel-embiid-danuel-house-jaden-springer"><em>Danny Green</em></a><em> looking forward to how they could impact the team in the 2023-24 season.</em></p>
<h2 id="ba0aHM"><strong>Mohamed Bamba</strong></h2>
<p id="ryo2i3"><strong>Age:</strong> 25</p>
<p id="dsRqgP"><strong>Contract status:</strong> One-year, $2.3 million deal</p>
<p id="4gnYol">After 4.5 years in Orlando and a brief springtime pitstop with the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, Mohamed Bamba arrives in his hometown of Philadelphia aiming to establish a clear NBA niche. Bamba was selected sixth overall in the 2018 Draft, but has endured various injuries and inconsistent development thus far preventing him from being the player many thought he could become 5.5 years ago.</p>
<p id="MmojUk">With the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a>, he’ll grapple against Paul Reed for minutes spelling superstar Joel Embiid. Last season, Reed emerged as the reserve center under former head coach Doc Rivers, who has since been replaced by Nick Nurse. Bamba’s arrival marks the first legitimate stretch 5 (save for small-ball options) during Joel Embiid’s tenure who could earn real playing time. Over the past two years, he’s drilled 38.3 percent (155 of 405) of his triples and is a career 35.9 percent shooter beyond the arc. </p>
<p id="kNpaIW">The issue, however, is he’s yet to provide many other reliable contributions through five seasons, which have hindered his ability to unearth a steady role. He’s a middling finisher — ranking in the 46th percentile or lower around the rim three times in five years, per Cleaning the Glass — whose poor core strength and versatility hinder his interior pursuits. Defensively, his physical tools, a 7-foot frame and 7-foot-10 wingspan, are neutralized by slow change of direction/vertical explosion and tendency to leave the ground on too many fakes. Only once in five seasons has a team’s defense performed better when he’s on the floor.</p>
<p id="QzVbRj">Given the Sixers’ lack of wing depth and Nurse’s seeming affinity for Reed, I could see Reed and Bamba sharing the floor to spotlight their contrasting skill-sets. Nurse has spoken glowingly about Reed throughout the offseason and the fourth-year big fits the style of forward his head coach gravitated toward in Toronto as a rangy, athletic, defensive playmaker. </p>
<p id="4BHxrf">With James Harden unlikely to take the floor for Philadelphia this year and Embiid frequenting the same position as Bamba, much of the onus will rest on Tyrese Maxey to maximize Bamba’s floor-spacing qualities and feed him easy chances beyond the arc. I expect Double Drag with Bamba popping, Reed rolling and Maxey orchestrating to be a popular action this year whenever those three occupy the court together. The growth or lack thereof from Maxey as a passer in the coming months will be both integral to Bamba’s success offensively and the team’s collective prosperity amid non-Embiid minutes. </p>
<p id="wY4qlw">Of course, Maxey’s individual progress should not and will not determine the entirety of Bamba’s 2023-24 story. There is certainly a world where his prime brings about newfound discipline and technique as a drop defender to render him an intriguing 3-and-D bench big for the Sixers. But soon, that has to actually arise and no longer be a rosy hypothetical. The shooting is a major boost, but his sprawling size has rarely been functional enough to blend the appeal of a defensive anchor and offensive spacer. </p>
<p id="xViSba">Entering October’s training camp, Reed should likely have the upperhand over Bamba behind Embiid, though they might not even be competing for the same minutes. And if that’s the case, the former Texas Longhorn is a safe bet to offer credible shooting at the 5. Everything beyond that is much murkier.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/19/23879264/mo-bamba-answer-backup-center-philadelphia-76ers-nba-joel-embiid-nick-nurseJackson Frank2023-09-15T12:51:14-04:002023-09-15T12:51:14-04:00Former Sixer Zhaire Smith agrees to Exhibit 10 deal with the Cavs
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<p>The 24-year-old wing is back in the NBA.</p> <p id="vNaIWe">According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, former <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> forward Zhaire Smith has agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Zhaire Smith, agent Adie von Gontard of <a href="https://twitter.com/YMAPAAsports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YMAPAAsports</a> told <a href="https://twitter.com/hoopshype?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hoopshype</a>. Smith was the No. 16 overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.</p>— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1702712844465132018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2023</a>
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<p id="7cZ8lN">Drafted 16th overall in 2018, Smith last played in the NBA during the 2019-20 season, when he appeared in seven games for Philadelphia and averaged 1.1 points. Shortly before the 2020-21 season, he was dealt to the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a> in exchange for Tony Bradley, though Detroit ultimately waived him and he never played for the organization. Smith joined the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Summer League roster this year and saw the court in four games, including one against the Sixers, averaging 6.0 points and 1.0 rebounds.</p>
<p id="rrHg74">While the athletic forward is presumably facing an uphill climb to make the Cavaliers roster, their wing depth is not vast and he could provide a jolt of point-of-attack defense and interior finishing. Regardless, given all he’s endured throughout his brief career, it’s a welcomed sight to have him back around the league.</p>
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https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/15/23875279/former-philadelphia-76er-zhaire-smith-agrees-exhibit-10-deal-cleveland-cavaliers-nbaJackson Frank2023-09-13T16:01:45-04:002023-09-13T16:01:45-04:00Adam Silver on James Harden and Damian Lillard’s trade requests: ‘Don’t like them, as a league’
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<p>Silvers said he wants the situations in Philadelphia and Portland “to get resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.”</p> <p id="asCeOr">NBA commissioner Adam Silver hosted a press conference addressing numerous topics involving the league on Wednesday afternoon. Among those topics are the trade requests from star point guards Damian Lillard and James Harden, each of whom has asked out of their current respective teams, the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com">Portland Trail Blazers</a> and <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a>.</p>
<p id="hDpxKS">“Don’t like them, as a league. I want players and teams to both honor their contracts,” Silver said. “I’m watching everything going on in Portland and Philadelphia and hoping they get resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. I’m glad it seems to have calmed down as far as public discourse.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adam Silver asked by <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardBeck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HowardBeck</a> about Harden/Lillard trade requests: "Don't like them, as a league. I want players and teams to both honor their contracts. I'm watching everything going on in Portland and Philadelphia and hoping they get resolved to everyone's satisfaction. I'm…</p>— Sean Highkin (@highkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/highkin/status/1702044555141595619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2023</a>
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<p id="NCEKr9">Lillard and Harden issued trade requests roughly 2.5 months ago, though neither player seems close to reaching their preferred outcome. Portland and the Miami Heat have not reportedly made substantial or progressive talks, while Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Clippers seem far apart in their trade negotiations. As training camp approaches, it appears the two veteran ball-handlers are primed to stay put, at least for now. </p>
<p id="Si2Y9X">The Sixers begin their preseason slate Oct. 8 against the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a>. The Blazers kick things off two days later in a clash with the New Zealand Breakers. </p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/13/23872437/adam-silver-james-harden-damian-lillard-trade-requests-dont-like-them-nba-philadelphia-76ersJackson Frank2023-09-05T23:41:00-04:002023-09-05T23:41:00-04:00Report: Danny Green returns to Sixers; David Duke Jr. signs Exhibit 10 with the team
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<p>Green is rejoining Philadelphia on a one-year deal.</p> <p id="L1pWU9">The <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> made a pair of signings on Tuesday night. After a season spent with the Memphis Grizzlies and <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, Danny Green is returning to Philadelphia on a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free agent G Danny Green has agreed on a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, agent Sam Permut of <a href="https://twitter.com/RocNationSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RocNationSports</a> tells ESPN.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1699259371509735691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a>
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<p id="QiiAjB">A source told Liberty Ballers that Green’s deal is non-guaranteed.</p>
<p id="jKRbru">Green rehabbed from his torn ACL for part of 2022-23 before making his debut in February. Shortly after that, he was moved to the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a> and agreed to a buyout before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers. The veteran wing played sparingly with both clubs, suiting up for 11 regular season games and averaging 5.5 points while shooting 43.2 percent beyond the arc. He appeared in four playoff games and tallied 40 minutes throughout the first round.</p>
<p id="o1ryDU">Meanwhile, Duke has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal, per Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">David Duke had agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sixers, according to a league source. He played in 45 games for the Nets over the past two seasons.</p>— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) <a href="https://twitter.com/ginamizell/status/1699231608786563574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a>
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<p id="NV1OkT">Duke played his first two seasons for the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com">Brooklyn Nets</a>, seeing the court in 45 games, and averaging 4.2 points (46.6 percent true shooting) and 2.1 rebounds. </p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/5/23860870/report-danny-green-returns-philadelphia-76ers-david-duke-jr-signs-exhibit-10-nbaJackson Frank2023-09-05T13:32:39-04:002023-09-05T13:32:39-04:00Sixers announce full coaching staff ahead of 2023-24 NBA season
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<img alt="NBA Salt Lake City Summer League - Memphia Grizzlies v Philadelphia 76ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UWnFxzYYy73utRrZTY9w_dT1czY=/491x0:4153x2441/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72613630/1469822662.0.jpg" />
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<p>The Sixers have added some intriguing names to their bench behind head coach Nick Nurse. </p> <p id="gMZxZJ">Since Nick Nurse was officially hired as the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> head coach in early June, various names have trickled out as additions to the team’s revamped coaching staff, headlined by Bobby Jackson and Rico Hines. On Tuesday afternoon, the entirety of the staff surrounding Nurse was announced. </p>
<p id="fSojGR">Hines, Jackson, Bryan Gates, Coby Karl, Matt Brase, Doug West and Mike Longabardi will serve as Nurse’s assistants. Longabardi is doubling as the Delaware Blue Coats head coach. John Corbacio is an assistant and the head video coordinator. Kareem Thawer is the assistant video coordinator. Fabulous Flournoy, Jason Love, T.J. DiLeo, Terrell Harris, Toure’ Murry and Reggie Redding are player development coaches. Flournoy and Love are also listed as assistants. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">coaching staff ✔️. <a href="https://t.co/OwZnbdanEL">pic.twitter.com/OwZnbdanEL</a></p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1699106072705830976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2023</a>
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<p id="OxmnOv">Philadelphia will kick off its training camp early on Oct. 3 before making its preseason debut on Oct. 8 against the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Boston Celtics</a> inside TD Garden. That’ll mark the first chance for everyone to get a glimpse at Nurse and the new-look coaching staff behind him. </p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/9/5/23859995/philadelphia-76ers-announce-coaching-staff-2023-24-nba-season-nick-nurse-joel-embiid-tyrese-maxeyJackson Frank2023-08-31T19:30:00-04:002023-08-31T19:30:00-04:00SB Nation Reacts: Majority of voters give Daryl Morey a C or D grade for his time leading the Sixers
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<p>Participants of a recent survey don’t seem keen on the job Daryl Morey has done with the Sixers.</p> <p id="ssKqTE"><em>Welcome to </em><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-reacts?_ga=2.173650211.1651095840.1607956475-392455686.1589379733"><em><strong>SB Nation Reacts</strong></em></a><em>, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/"><em><strong>Philadelphia 76ers</strong></em></a><em> fans, and fans across the country. </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?xcust=17933__t_w__r_sbnation.com__d_D&id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nbasignups&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2020/8/3/21351793/sb-nation-reacts-fans-pick-their-favorites-for-the-championship-and-mvp" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>Sign up here</strong></em></a><em> to join Reacts.</em></p>
<p id="JDLoje">Since joining the Sixers almost three years ago, it’s been an up-and-down tenure for President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey. Some moves are clear pluses, like drafting Tyrese Maxey and signing Georges Niang. Others are deemed shakier, like acquiring Jalen McDaniels and letting him walk in restricted free agency or signing P.J. Tucker to a three-year, $33 million contract. Some are conflicting, such as dealing Al Horford and a first-round pick for Danny Green.</p>
<p id="2MERJj">According to a recent survey, most participants aren’t enthused by the work Morey has done throughout his time with Philadelphia. More than 60 percent of voters gave him a C or D grade, and another 20 percent handed him an F. Only 18 percent considered him worthy of an A or B.</p>
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<p id="ma4Dk5">Up through the acquisition of De’Anthony Melton during the 2022 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, Morey’s moves seemed pretty good and beneficial. Over the past 14 months, everything’s been much more conflicting, to say the least, and it’s understandable why he didn’t receive many kind grades from the fan base.</p>
<p id="JCZiRy"><em>Check out </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/d3pt?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D451588095%26wpcid%3D163864%26wpcn%3DSBNation%26wpscn%3DSocial%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DReacts&pcid=163864&psn=Vox&pcn=SBNation&pcrid=Reacts&pscn=Social"><em><strong>DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>, the official </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured"><em><strong>sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> partner of SB Nation.</em></p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/8/31/23854801/sb-nation-reacts-voters-give-daryl-morey-c-d-grade-leading-philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid-nbaJackson Frank2023-08-30T14:00:00-04:002023-08-30T14:00:00-04:00How would you grade Daryl Morey’s job leading the Sixers?
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<img alt="NBA: Philadelphia 76ers-Press Conference" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mm1HjEjpGxlzN6fiDyZb4DS50Qw=/0x0:4552x3035/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72594739/usa_today_17690375.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Morey is approaching his three-year anniversary as the Sixers’ president of basketball operations.</p> <p id="sHB5z5"><em>Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com"><em>Philadelphia 76ers</em></a><em> fans and fans across the country. </em><a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/8SCRL8/"><em>Sign up here</em></a><em> to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.</em></p>
<p id="9gz9L6">Last week, a handful of <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/8/25/23844427/evaluating-daryl-morey-tenure-philadelphia-76ers-nba-joel-embiid-james-harden-tyrese-maxey">my Liberty Ballers colleagues dished out grades</a> and subsequent explainers for the job they feel Daryl Morey has done as Philadelphia’s president of basketball operations since he joined the franchise nearly three years ago. Three of the four participants gave Morey something in the B range, while the last was much less rosy, handing him a D grade.</p>
<p id="oQNPPs">This week, the opportunity goes to all of you to assess Morey’s time running the Sixers. How do you feel about his efforts? Have they been good, but flawed? Have they been a disaster? Have they been excellent? Have they been futile? Let your voice be heard and tell us your thoughts!</p>
<div id="bL8LkL"><iframe id="ss-embed-frame" onload="window.parent.parent.scrollTo(0,0)" src="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WP4X3E/" style="width:100%;height:600px;border:0px;padding-bottom:4px;" frameborder="0"><a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WP4X3E/">Please take our survey</a></iframe></div>
<p id="tqauzs"><em>Check out </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured?wpcid=163864&wpcn=SBNation&wpcrid=Reacts&wpscn=Social&wpsrc=Vox&category=live-in-game"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a><em>, the official </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured"><em>sportsbook</em></a><em> partner of SB Nation.</em></p>
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https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/8/30/23851234/grade-daryl-morey-job-leading-philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid-nba-james-harden-tyrese-maxeyJackson Frank2023-08-29T15:29:39-04:002023-08-29T15:29:39-04:00Ben Simmons says he’ll ‘always have love for Philly’
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<figcaption>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The former Sixers point guard spoke about a number of topics, including his time in Philadelphia and that infamous Hawks-Sixers Game 7. </p> <p id="jJIx4j">It’s been more than two years since former Philadelphia 76er Ben Simmons resembled his All-NBA, All-Defensive First Team self. For numerous reasons, he didn’t suit up during the 2021-22 season. When he did play this past year, he looked like a shell of himself as he struggled through serious back issues before undergoing season-ending surgery, which limited him to 42 games. </p>
<p id="uVjEiR">This summer, Simmons has been working toward a return to the court and <a href="https://andscape.com/features/brooklyn-nets-ben-simmons-locked-in-for-comeback-from-injury/">recently with Marc Spears of Andscape</a>. Among other things, he touched on his time with the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Sixers</a>, the severity of his back injury, and what he’s learned throughout the last few years of his career. Most notably, Simmons said he’d welcome a return to Philadelphia if he was traded again and spoke glowingly about his tenure in the City of Brotherly Love.</p>
<blockquote><p id="27cTuo">“I had a lot of fun there. It was time for me to go. When I did leave, it was good timing. Obviously, the injury and everything that was going on didn’t help. But I think it gave me a chance to really appreciate it. I’ll always have love for Philly. People always ask me like, ‘If you were to get traded again where you want it to be?’ I always say, ‘Just Philly. Philly is a second home to me.’ And in time, you learn and grow as people. I don’t really have anything bad to say about Philly. It was a crazy situation at the end, but it is what it is.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="tktpvs">Simmons was also asked whether he ever reflects on Game 7 of the second round between the Sixers and <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com">Atlanta Hawks</a>. He doesn’t seem to stew on his decision to pass to Matisse Thybulle rather than attempt a contested layup over Trae Young, which drew fiery criticism throughout the NBA world.</p>
<blockquote><p id="5PxvA9">“I don’t even remember that game anymore. To me, I made a play. I gave it to somebody who’s probably going to shoot better from the free throw at that moment of the game. It didn’t work, but I made a play. People make hundreds of plays throughout the year. They’re not always going to be the right play at the right time, but it was a play. But that wasn’t the factor of the game. You can go back and look at different things within the game where it could’ve been better. For me, shooting the free throws was one of them, but it didn’t happen. So, that’s just something you just keep working [on].”</p></blockquote>
<p id="pBdx4V">Spears followed up by wondering if Simmons has elected to forget about that moment and game.</p>
<blockquote><p id="Qxf7MR">“No, not forget, because it’s a part of the journey. This would be no fun, what I’m doing now, if it was just all easy. This is a part of the journey for me. We’re in Brooklyn now. I have a chance to come back and turn people’s heads, or people take back what they said before. And that’s what sports is. That’s the beautiful thing about sports. You could play one great game and everyone loves you, then you play one bad game and people hate you. The last memory people have is what they’re going to say. So, for me, I just want to go back and prove people wrong and come out a different player.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="TBUm2e">Spears and Simmons discussed the extent to which the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com">Brooklyn Nets</a> guard was limited last season. Simmons said daily activities such as sitting down and standing up caused back tightness and that he had nerve damage in his leg, but he noted “I feel I’m at 100% now.” As for when the back pain began, he pinpointed Feb. 22, 2020, a game he and the Sixers played against the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com">Milwaukee Bucks</a>. </p>
<blockquote><p id="6asGkx">“I went up, twisted and I think that’s when I really irritated it right before ‘The Bubble’ when they stopped playing, they canceled the games. So, I got lucky in that situation because they stopped playing and I was able to rehab. And I got it to a great place. And then I had an incident, or an episode, right before I got traded [to Brooklyn]. I went up the stairs, my back just kind of gave out, and that was when it really got a lot worse. And then I tried to rehab. Now I’m about to get ready to play in Game 4 with the Nets in Boston [on April 25, 2022], and we were playing 5-on-5, and I told them I want to play one more 5-on-5 to see how I felt. I was playing, pushed it a little bit too hard. The next day, I woke up on the floor. I couldn’t even move. I had to make that call and say I can’t go. People don’t know that, but that was just a part of it.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="ThTzG5">Spears’ interview with Simmons contains much more insight than solely what I’ve included and I don’t want to spoil it all, so I highly recommend reading the entire piece <a href="https://andscape.com/features/brooklyn-nets-ben-simmons-locked-in-for-comeback-from-injury/">here</a>. The two talk about how his rehab is progressing, what he envisions his role as with the retooled Nets, where he’s at mentally and much more.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/8/29/23851087/ben-simmons-always-love-philadelphia-nba-brooklyn-nets-philadelphia-76ers-trade-joel-embiidJackson Frank2023-08-28T14:00:00-04:002023-08-28T14:00:00-04:00SB Nation Reacts: New head coach Nick Nurse deemed most exciting part of new season for Sixers fans
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<img alt="2023 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League - Memphia Grizzlies v Philadelphia 76ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s-0aJ9QUg4TpJJ4Phf033Qhvo4M=/417x0:4592x2783/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72586722/1517170993.0.jpg" />
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<p>The former Raptors head coach became the lead man for the Sixers this summer. </p> <p id="JNswIf"><em>Welcome to </em><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-reacts?_ga=2.173650211.1651095840.1607956475-392455686.1589379733"><em><strong>SB Nation Reacts</strong></em></a><em>, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in </em><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/"><em><strong>Philadelphia 76ers</strong></em></a><em> fans, and fans across the country. </em><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?xcust=17933__t_w__r_sbnation.com__d_D&id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nbasignups&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2020/8/3/21351793/sb-nation-reacts-fans-pick-their-favorites-for-the-championship-and-mvp" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em><strong>Sign up here</strong></em></a><em> to join Reacts.</em></p>
<p id="YeFg5k">After a third consecutive second-round exit for the Sixers this past spring, upper management elected to cut ties with Doc Rivers, who spent three years as head coach in Philadelphia.</p>
<p id="lVgbt5">In his stead stands Nick Nurse, who was head coach of the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com">Toronto Raptors</a> for four years before being fired following the team’s Play-In Tournament defeat four months ago. Nurse helped lead Toronto to the 2018-19 NBA championship and is often lauded for his defensive ingenuity. As the Sixers prep for another year, it appears his arrival is the most exciting component among fans, according to a recent poll. </p>
<p id="cRSXQD">Nurse’s hiring as head coach squeaked past a large sect of nihilistic Sixers supporters, who couldn’t find anything to be enthusiastic about ahead of the season. Tyrese Maxey’s continued development finished a close third, while the encore to Joel Embiid’s MVP campaign was a distant fourth. </p>
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<p id="OFdNQH"><em>Check out </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/d3pt?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D451588095%26wpcid%3D163864%26wpcn%3DSBNation%26wpscn%3DSocial%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DReacts&pcid=163864&psn=Vox&pcn=SBNation&pcrid=Reacts&pscn=Social"><em><strong>DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>, the official </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured"><em><strong>sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> partner of SB Nation.</em></p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/8/28/23849231/sb-nation-reacts-new-head-coach-nick-nurse-most-exciting-part-philadelphia-76ers-nba-seasonJackson Frank