The Philadelphia 76ers haven't even been eliminated from the playoffs yet and analysts are already starting to hit the panic button on the young squad. Star player Joel Embiid has been struggling to produce due to lingering illnesses, all while Ben Simmons hasn't been himself in the playoffs. With a lack of production from their two best players, the 76ers are now down 3-2 in their second-round series against the Toronto Raptors. Yesterday, on ESPN's Get Up, Jalen Rose spoke passionately about the 76ers situation, saying the team needs more from Embiid. He also explained that Embiid and Simmons don't mesh well together, which means one of them needs to be traded. "I feel like if you're going to build around Joel Embiid, that means trading Ben Simmons," Rose said. Rose continued by explaining the tactical reasons for why Embiid and Simmons clash on the court. As he so eloquently states, their skillsets limit the 76ers on offense which is ultimately why they're struggling right now. "Those are the two pillars of your team. Ben Simmons won't shoot the ball outside of the paint, and he can't shoot free throws," Rose explained. "When the playoffs come and the game slows down, you want Joel Embiid in the post—not at the three-point line. If Ben Simmons is on the baseline at the dunk spot, there's really no true room to operate and them to maximize their potential." Do you agree with the former NBA player or is he completely off on this one? [Via]<doc-sep>The Philadelphia 76ers lost Game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference series to the Toronto Raptors in decisive fashion, as the Raptors took a 3-2 lead in the series. In the 125-89 loss, per ESPN, the Sixers' stars were mostly shut down, as an illness-plagued Joel Embiid scored only 13 points and Ben Simmons scored only seven. Jimmy Butler had 22. The Sixers, if they lose this series, will be faced with decisions to make about free agents Butler, J.J. Redick, and Tobias Harris. But one noted NBA commentator says that he doesn't think the team's Embiid/Simmons core is the way to go for the long haul. Speaking on ESPN's Get Up morning show (via Twitter), Jalen Rose said that he doesn't think the Sixers will ever win a championship with Simmons on the team. "I feel like if you're going to build around Joel Embiid, that means trading Ben Simmons," Rose said on the show when asked by host Mike Greenberg. "Those are the two pilllars of your team. Ben Simmons won't shoot the ball outside of the paint, and he can't make free throws." Rose added that Simmons has had less success in the playoffs over the last two seasons as opposed to the regular season and that if Simmons is playing under the basket, there's no room for Embiid to play there too. In addition to Philadelphia's free agency uncertainty, Simmons is eligible to receive a contract extension from the 76ers this offseason. Simmons is only 22-years-old and has only played for two years in the league, not counting his rookie year, for which he was injured. The Australian point guard, however, has been an often spectacular player, becoming the second-fastest player in history to record 20 triple-doubles, according to USA Today . Simmons has also made headlines for his reported relationship with Kendall Jenner, although indications, per The Inquisitr , are that the couple is now no longer dating. Also, Simmons is a rarity in the modern NBA, as he has never made a three-point shot in his career. The Simmons comments are not the first time this week that Rose has speculated about the imminent departure of a player who had a subpar game the night before. On Tuesday, per The Inquisitr, Rose said on television that the Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving was "done" in Boston and that his teammates would be willing to help him pack. The series between the 76ers and Raptors will continue with Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday night.<doc-sep>Chris Szagola/Associated Press ESPN analyst Jalen Rose said on Wednesday's Get Up that the Philadelphia 76ers need to trade Ben Simmons if their long-term plan is centered on building around Joel Embiid. "I feel like if you're going to build around Joel Embiid, that means trading Ben Simmons," Rose said. "Those are the two pillars of your team. Ben Simmons won't shoot the ball outside of the paint, and he can't shoot free throws. When the playoffs come and the game slows down, you want Joel Embiid in the post—not at the three-point line. If Ben Simmons is on the baseline at the dunk spot, there's really no true room to operate and them to maximize their potential." There have been questions about Simmons and Embiid over the last two seasons, particularly due to the former's inability/unwillingness to shoot from the perimeter. Simmons has taken 17 total threes through two NBA seasons and has not made one. The average distance of his shots actually went down from 5.5 feet as a rookie to 4.1 feet in 2018-19, per Basketball Reference. This is an issue for an obvious reason: Simmons is a complete nonfactor when he does not have the ball in his hands. Opposing defenses essentially ignore him, cramping the space for other players to operate. This is particularly problematic when Embiid is in the post because it makes defenses able to double him without fear of Simmons hitting an open three. Nearly 90 percent of Simmons' shots this season came within 10 feet of the basket. His shooting percentage on those shots outside the paint also dipped, a concerning sign. Video Play Button Videos you might like That said, Simmons is a 22-year-old who does nearly everything besides shoot incredibly well. He's a brilliant passer, great finisher near the rim, good defender and plays a smart game. It'll be hard for the Sixers to find equal value in a trade.<doc-sep>
Coming into this season, Philadelphia was a heavy favorite to win the LeBron-less Eastern Conference. But after a shaky postseason, the Sixers are now on the brink of being eliminated without even making it to the conference championship. As a result, critics are speculating what needs to be done to take Philly to the next level. And NBA star-turned-analyst Jalen Rose thinks he has the solution. During his appearance on Wednesday's episode of EPSN's Get Up, Rose suggested that the 76ers move their point guard Ben Simmons to build around their elite big man Joel Embiid. "I feel like if you're going to build around Joel Embiid, that means trading Ben Simmons," Rose stated at the video's 2:50-minute mark. He then went on to explain that Simmons' inability to produce points limits the Sixers from being a championship team. "Those are the two pillars of your team. Ben Simmons won't shoot the ball outside of the paint, and he can't shoot free throws," Rose detailed. "When the playoffs come and the game slows down, you want Joel Embiid in the post—not at the three-point line. If Ben Simmons is on the baseline at the dunk spot, there's really no true room to operate and them to maximize their potential." In his two years of NBA competition, Simmons has yet to develop an effective jump shot. He has attempted (and missed) just 17 three-pointers in his career and close to 90 percent of his shot come from within 10 feet of the rim. Although he's a prolific playmaker, those inside buckets create a scenario in which Rose feels it's impossible for Embiid and Simmons to co-exist. Aiding in Rose's argument is the fact Simmons' numbers have dropped in nearly every statistical category since the playoffs began. His broken shot combined with the potential to disappear in the big moments leaves Philly with something to consider during this offseason.