Philadelphia 76ers: Can this Big 3 last together?
The Philadelphia 76ers have formed quite the Big 3 with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler. Can the trio last together though?
The Philadelphia 76ers have undergone quite the process in 2018-19. They’re currently tied for third in the Eastern Conference standings with a 34-19 record. The team posted a record of 11-4 in the month of January and has made quite the turnaround since acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves back in November.
The addition of Butler to their young core of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons has certainly had its benefits. Through 31 appearances with Butler in the rotation, the team has produced a record of 21-10. Butler averaging 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a member of the Sixers.
While Philadelphia is enjoying quite the streak, winning four of its last five games, it’s still 1-3 against the top two teams in the East in the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks.
The 76ers are winless against the Bucks so far in 2018-19 at 0-1, with two more meetings remaining. Late performances in the season against them could be the measuring stick for just how long this trio can last. The Bucks have the best record in the East at 38-13 and Philadelphia’s loss came without Butler in the rotation.
Milwaukee won handily, 123-108, back on Oct. 24 behind 32 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and two steals from All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Sixers will meet the Bucks again on the road on March 17 then at home on April 4.
As for Toronto, Butler has appeared in two of the three contests Philadelphia has faced them and the team has gone 1-1 in those games. While there’s been an added focus on the performance of Butler, he posted 38 points and 10 rebounds in a loss on Dec. 5, and 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a victory on Dec. 22.
Big man Joel Embiid is at the top of his game this season, as evidenced by his selection to the starting lineup for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. He’s averaging 27.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 blocks per contest and recorded the first triple-double of his career on Nov. 14 against the Orlando Magic.
This past Thursday night, he put up 26 points and 20 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors in a 114-103 victory. He was recently named the Kia Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January, producing 29.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 blocks per game to go along with 11 double-doubles through the month.
Through 48 games, Embiid has recorded a career-high 43 double-doubles and counting in 2018-19. He’s shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from 3-point range as a contender for the league’s MVP award.
Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Developing Ben Simmons’ jump shot
The bigger focus should really be on point guard Ben Simmons and his ability to grow as a jump shooter. Simmons’ field goal percentage is up to 57.5 percent in 2018-19, but he’s managed to attempt just one 3-pointer through 51 appearances.
He’s attempted 619 total field goals in his second season in the league and of those attempts, just two shots have come from 20 feet and beyond. Simmons is shooting 1-for-12 (8.3 percent) from 16-24 feet.
As a glorified point guard, his job is to get his players in position to score. He’s largely done that part, averaging 8.1 assists per contest this season. In the clutch though, expectations change for Simmons, particularly against teams like the Raptors and Bucks.
In last year’s playoffs against the Boston Celtics, Ben Simmons faded under the bright lights. His production dipped a bit against the Celtics as he finished the series averaging 14.4 points, 8.2rebounds and 6.4 assists per game on 47.5 percent shooting from the field.
In the series prior, Simmons averaged 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.4 steals per contest in a 4-1 win over the Miami Heat. He shot 50 percent from the field.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of Hall-of-Famers who struggled with their shot early in their careers. Magic Johnson didn’t shoot over 30 percent from 3-point range until his 10th season in the NBA.
Even more, Simmons has the likes of J.J. Redick and Landry Shamet in the rotation. Redick is one of the premier 3-point shooters in the league, shooting 38.4 percent from behind the arc this season. Shamet is shooting 40.6 percent from 3-point land off the bench.
Eventually though, teams are going to dare Simmons to shoot beyond the paint. His development beyond the paint will be the ultimate test in if this Big 3 can fit together.
In a victory against the Celtics earlier this season, Simmons put up 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. In a loss, he put up just 11 points to go along with 14 rebounds and eight assists.
The verdict
The ingredients are certainly there for this trio to co-exist and be successful. When Embiid can’t deliver, Butler has shown the ability to step up and play big on both ends. He’s made big stops and game-winners already since arriving in Philadelphia.
On Saturday night, they took a tough loss on the road to the Sacramento Kings, 115-108. On the road this season, the Sixers have posted a record of 13-14.
If Philadelphia really wants this core to work, it’s going to have to improve its current road record. The Sixers managed to get a big night out of Jimmy Butler, who finished with 29 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, but too much Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III did them in.
The Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler has the potential to be successful, but there are some kinks for them to workout before the season ends. An extension for Butler will certainly be on the table this summer if they can solve their woes on the road.
