Trade Ben Simmons poll (12 Viewers)

[wizenheimer]

Assumptions required to put CJ in all-star consideration:
--CJ runs the point in Philly
--Harris takes a tertiary offensive role with CJ at point
--Philly remains top-3 in the East

With those assumptions, I would put CJ ahead of the following players in list 1
Lavine
Siakam
Grant
Brogdon
Brown
Butler
Middleton
Holiday
Randle

None of that is to say that McCollum is necessarily better than any of those players, but that CJ's performance and role on a top 3 Sixers team would likely elevate his ASG resume over theirs.

I think you'd be on thin ice with Butler, Middleton, and Brown. Expecting CJ to be voted in by fans is not realistic and defense counts with coaches. I don't think CJ would be bumping a PF like Randle off the team either

you might also compare CJ's numbers to LaVine

if CJ was a #2 on a top-3 team...maybe that would carry some water. But CJ was #2 on a top-3 seed in the West twice and didn't have any traction at all

if people would simply say CJ might be an all-star in the east, given a set of favorable circumstances, I'd leave it alone and have. But too often it's framed as likely or a cinch

 

[Natebishop3]

I think you'd be on thin ice with Butler, Middleton, and Brown. Expecting CJ to be voted in by fans is not realistic and defense counts with coaches. I don't think CJ would be bumping a PF like Randle off the team either

you might also compare CJ's numbers to LaVine

if CJ was a #2 on a top-3 team...maybe that would carry some water. But CJ was #2 on a top-3 seed in the West twice and didn't have any traction at all

if people would simply say CJ might be an all-star in the east, given a set of favorable circumstances, I'd leave it alone and have. But too often it's framed as likely or a cinch

If the Sixers were top 3 and CJ was averaging something like 25 and 8, he's going to be an All-Star. I guaran-damn-tee it.

 

[JoshuaHall]

I think it’s more likely than not that CJ would be in an all star game by the time he left Philadelphia.

 

[JoshuaHall]

And, god forbid they somehow win a championship, CJ will suddenly be seen as the missing piece that was swapped out with all nba defender and all star and won a chip.

 

[wizenheimer]

And, god forbid they somehow win a championship, CJ will suddenly be seen as the missing piece that was swapped out with all nba defender and all star and won a chip.

of course, if Portland won the championship after trading CJ....Monta Ellis

 

[JoshuaHall]

of course, if Portland won the championship after trading CJ....Monta Ellis

That would be great

and personally how I lean

but we need to show Philly lurkers that he truly is their missing piece

let’s convince them to riot lol

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think you'd be on thin ice with Butler, Middleton, and Brown. Expecting CJ to be voted in by fans is not realistic and defense counts with coaches. I don't think CJ would be bumping a PF like Randle off the team either

you might also compare CJ's numbers to LaVine

if CJ was a #2 on a top-3 team...maybe that would carry some water. But CJ was #2 on a top-3 seed in the West twice and didn't have any traction at all

if people would simply say CJ might be an all-star in the east, given a set of favorable circumstances, I'd leave it alone and have. But too often it's framed as likely or a cinch

Going the other direction, I'd expect the all-star starters this coming year to be Trae, Harden, Giannis, KD, and Embiid. The next 2 East guards I'd expect would be Kyrie and Beal, and then CJ as a Sixer would (in my mind) be the favorite for the 5th all-star guard spot.

 

[wizenheimer]

Going the other direction, I'd expect the all-star starters this coming year to be Trae, Harden, Giannis, KD, and Embiid. The next 2 East guards I'd expect would be Kyrie and Beal, and then CJ as a Sixer would (in my mind) be the favorite for the 5th all-star guard spot.

is it safe to say that Embiid, Sabonis, and Adebayo are pretty close to locks?

if so, that would make 7 already on the team with your starters and those 2 other bigs

CJ would be competing for one of 5 spots with Tatum, Kyrie, Beal, Middleton, Randle, Butler, Brown, Holiday, and Siakam. Certainly not anywhere close to a cinch, especially if defense is a factor. And there would be other candidates too. But sure...it's possible

 

[Hoopguru]

Joel Embiid
Kevin Durant
James Harden
Kyrie Irving
Giannis
Khris Middleton
Jrue Holiday
Julius Randle
Trae Young
Jimmy Butler
Bam Adebayo
Jayson Tatum
Jalen Brown
Bradley Beal
Domantas Sabonis
Malcolm Brogdon
Zach LaVine
Pascal Siakam
Jerami Grant

RJ Barrett
John Collins
Terry Rozier
Gordon Hayward
Lamelo Ball
Lonzo Ball
Fred Van Vleet
OG Anunoby
Colin Sexton

this "CJ would be an all-star in the East" narrative comes up over and over. I've asked before which 9 players on the top list CJ is clearly better than and would bump, as well as hold off all of the young guns off that 2nd list. Never get an answer and don't expect a realistic answer now

what I do get back is chatter about how CJ performs without Dame; but that completely skips the context of CJ's extremely high usage rate in those games and him 'leading the league in FGA'. Which poses the question of just how good any team would be with CJ as the #1 option in the top-5 of the league in FGA's

for instance, if CJ was traded to Philly for Simmons, he'd be replacing a player who averaged 4 less FGA's than CJ did for Portland. Further, Dame + Powell averaged 33 FGA/game. Embiid + Harris averaged 33 FGA/game. So where exactly is CJ going to get these extra shot opportunities? From Embiid and Harris who are both more efficient shooters? From Curry? Where?

more than that is that Philly would have to assign CJ the job of running the offense which could easily reduce his shot opportunities...he's sure as hell not Dame after all. Which would be a giant leap of faith because Simmons has a career average assist rate of 34.5% while CJ is at 17.5%. In fact, this could explain why Philly seems so reluctant to try and replace Simmons with CJ...they don't believe CJ can adequately replace Simmons in running a team....a pretty reasonable conclusion

in any event, the notion that CJ would be a cinch for the all-star game in the East seems to ignore realities

He could have as good a year and impact on Philly as many of those guards on your list.
And with his personality, and if he was was a major factor in Philly excelling, coupled with a market size and population of the East why couldn't he make it? Just my opinion

 

[Fairly-Hard]

If the Sixers were top 3 and CJ was averaging something like 25 and 8, he's going to be an All-Star. I guaran-damn-tee it.

Probably. There are a lot of fans in the Philadelphia area. He would get plenty of votes as well as publicity if he was ballin out in Philly.

 

[blazerkor]

He could have as good a year and impact on Philly as many of those guards on your list.
And with his personality, and if he was was a major factor in Philly excelling, coupled with a market size and population of the East why couldn't he make it? Just my opinion

Probably. There are a lot of fans in the Philadelphia area. He would get plenty of votes as well as publicity if he was ballin out in Philly.

Although that list seems daunting the truth is if the Sixers were again the team with the best record in the East and CJ was both their leader in assists with 7 or 8 per game and their second leading scorer with 25 or 26 per game, how would he not make the all star team.

The story line in the media would be that this guy that people have been saying was a borderline all star for a long time came to the Eastern Conference and took his game to the as the next level as the second best player on the best team in the conference. He'd get the nod from the coaches.

Let's just hope we get the opportunity to find out.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

is it safe to say that Embiid, Sabonis, and Adebayo are pretty close to locks?

if so, that would make 7 already on the team with your starters and those 2 other bigs

CJ would be competing for one of 5 spots with Tatum, Kyrie, Beal, Middleton, Randle, Butler, Brown, Holiday, and Siakam. Certainly not anywhere close to a cinch, especially if defense is a factor. And there would be other candidates too. But sure...it's possible

Perhaps you missed or simply ignored that I was focusing solely on guards. I think the chances are close to nil that the coaches would only put 2 more guards on the bench, so CJ would essentially need to be one of the top 5 guards in the conference to be an all-star. Looking at your list, after Young, Harden, Beal, and Kyrie, CJ's competition for the 5th guard spot would be Holiday and Brown (I think Middleton and Butler are considered forwards).

I'd give CJ the edge.

 

[Hoopguru]

Perhaps you missed or simply ignored that I was focusing solely on guards. I think the chances are close to nil that the coaches would only put 2 more guards on the bench, so CJ would essentially need to be one of the top 5 guards in the conference to be an all-star. Looking at your list, after Young, Harden, Beal, and Kyrie, CJ's competition for the 5th guard spot would be Holiday and Brown (I think Middleton and Butler are considered forwards).

I'd give CJ the edge.

I think CJ is as good as Young.

 

[blazerkor]

CJ & Boucher to PHI
Siakam & Thybulle to POR
Simmons & Nurk to TOR



Of course, If I'm Philly, I just trade for Siakam rather than involving Portland.

I'd rather us end up with Simmons and Boucher. It might take some picks but it's what I'd want. A rotation of Dame, Norm, RoCo, Simmons, Boucher, Nance, Ant, Nas and Zeller would be pretty deadly for opponents. The players the Raptors send us as filler are interchangeable because they have 16 roster spots filled and around 6M in non guaranteed contracts to get them under the hard cap. This trade just made it work without them cutting anyone. (We would obviously have to take the protection off of the our 2022 first rounder)

 

[wizenheimer]

Perhaps you missed or simply ignored that I was focusing solely on guards. I think the chances are close to nil that the coaches would only put 2 more guards on the bench, so CJ would essentially need to be one of the top 5 guards in the conference to be an all-star. Looking at your list, after Young, Harden, Beal, and Kyrie, CJ's competition for the 5th guard spot would be Holiday and Brown (I think Middleton and Butler are considered forwards).

I'd give CJ the edge.

and maybe you missed ? that when I made my initial post about CJ's all star chances I was responding to this:

"CJ would hands down make the All Star team in the East"

essentially, I was making a case for why CJ could easily miss the game

as far as 5 guards making the team, I think that depends on the quality of bigs, wings and SF's. If Embiid, Sabonis, Adebayo, and Randle make the team, then 4 of the 7 of Giannis, Durant, Tatum, Middleton, Butler, Siakam & Brown would all have to miss out in favor of CJ

 

[Titan]

and maybe you missed ? that when I made my initial post about CJ's all star chances I was responding to this:

"CJ would hands down make the All Star team in the East"

essentially, I was making a case for why CJ could easily miss the game

as far as 5 guards making the team, I think that depends on the quality of bigs, wings and SF's. If Embiid, Sabonis, Adebayo, and Randle make the team, then 4 of the 7 of Giannis, Durant, Tatum, Middleton, Butler, Siakam & Brown would all have to miss out in favor of CJ

Wait, earlier you had Embiid, Sabonis, and Adebayo on your list, then you added Randle? So what you saying? If these (insert 12 names) make it, then CJ clearly did not get in? Didn't know you were the only 1 picking all-stars. Listen IF the Sixers are a top team in the East is makes since they would get 2 all-stars which likely in this hypothetical scenario Embiid and CJ are the 2, all people are saying is if CJ is on a top team in the East he would get in. In the case of Portland they would also have to be a top team in the West, most likely the top team to get 2 all-stars because its Portland.

 

[wizenheimer]

Wait, earlier you had Embiid, Sabonis, and Adebayo on your list, then you added Randle? So what you saying? If these (insert 12 names) make it, then CJ clearly did not get in? Didn't know you were the only 1 picking all-stars.

I definitely had Randle on the initial list, mainly because he was an all-star last year

 

[Titan]

I definitely had Randle on the initial list, mainly because he was an all-star last year

Nope. This is what I read from your post above "is it safe to say that Embiid, Sabonis, and Adebayo are pretty close to locks?" Where's Randle?

 

[wizenheimer]

Nope. This is what I read from your post above "is it safe to say that Embiid, Sabonis, and Adebayo are pretty close to locks?" Where's Randle?

yes I did, in my initial post:

"Joel Embiid
Kevin Durant
James Harden
Kyrie Irving
Giannis
Khris Middleton
Jrue Holiday
Julius Randle
Trae Young
Jimmy Butler
Bam Adebayo
Jayson Tatum
Jalen Brown
Bradley Beal
Domantas Sabonis
Malcolm Brogdon
Zach LaVine
Pascal Siakam
Jerami Grant"

 

[Titan]

yes I did, in my initial post:

"Joel Embiid
Kevin Durant
James Harden
Kyrie Irving
Giannis
Khris Middleton
Jrue Holiday
Julius Randle
Trae Young
Jimmy Butler
Bam Adebayo
Jayson Tatum
Jalen Brown
Bradley Beal
Domantas Sabonis
Malcolm Brogdon
Zach LaVine
Pascal Siakam
Jerami Grant"

So... If CJ played for the Knicks he would get in over Randle just for being much better as a face of a franchise. Its a popularity contest and players on more popular teams tend to get in more. Now that wasn't the case but that was before all this fan and now media voting. Come on he would get in if he were a L*ker and that just pisses me off thinking that.

 

[wizenheimer]

So... If CJ played for the Knicks he would get in over Randle just for being much better as a face of a franchise. Its a popularity contest and players on more popular teams tend to get in more. Now that wasn't the case but that was before all this fan and now media voting. Come on he would get in if he were a L*ker and that just pisses me off thinking that.

sure...if you're imagining CJ on one of every team in the East you can probably come up with all kinds of scenarios where CJ might get a berth

 

[Titan]

sure...if you're imagining CJ on one of every team in the East you can probably come up with all kinds of scenarios where CJ might get a berth

Yeah that is exactly right, you figured it out, here is a cookie, good job.

 

[wizenheimer]

Yeah that is exactly right, you figured it out, here is a cookie, good job.

lol...do you get a cookie too for the condescension?

 

[BBert]

CJ would hands down make the All Star team in the East. Just my opinion. He would become a marketing bonanza out East as well.

So you're saying the savvy CJ McCollum should bless this trade.

 

[Hoopguru]

So you're saying the savvy CJ McCollum should bless this trade.

I could see him doing so, isnt his wife from back east? I just think he would be a very popular player back east, NY would be a great fit for him too.

 

[BBert]

It would appear to be good for his career, his legacy, and his pocketbook.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Let’s go a step further. CJ would be MVP candidate in Philly! After all, he was easily All NBA before getting hurt last year.

 

[STOMP]

Also - "and fillers"? Their salaries match. At this point it's straight up or nothing, bitches.

CJ makes a bit over 2M less per year then BS...picks & Little would easily qualify as filler. Portland isn't the only franchise putting together an offer, Phili isn't completely backed into a corner here. Guessing it's going to take more then just CJ.

STOMP

 

[Fairly-Hard]

It would appear to be good for his career, his legacy, and his pocketbook.

"LEGACY"
Only the Blazers worry about players legacies.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

CJ makes a bit over 2M less per year then BS...picks & Little would easily qualify as filler. Portland isn't the only franchise putting together an offer, Phili isn't completely backed into a corner here. Guessing it's going to take more then just CJ.

STOMP

We'll see. Remind me again of the great players Houston got back for Harden.