PHILADELPHIA — Many will blame Ben Simmons for the Sixers’ series loss to the Hawks, though as Danny Green explains, it’s a situation where the entire team didn’t play up to par.
“It wasn’t his fault,” Green told FortyEightMinutes and other media on Monday. “We had plenty of opportunities to close out the series.”
Green’s comments may quiet some of the doubters but Simmons will still hear criticism from the fans. The former No. 1 overall pick has no desire to be traded despite facing a considerable amount of backlash.
“Yeah, I love being in Philly. I love this organization, Simmons said. “The fans are great people. I had a bad series. I expect that (boos). It’s Philly“
More From Philadelphia
- The Sixers entered negotiations with the Raptors for Kyle Lowry prior to the trade deadline and while the team didn’t want to meet Toronto’s asking price, some executives around the league believe Philadelphia should have been more aggressive, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer writes. Lowry would have been the type of play-maker who would have elevated the team while fitting in soundly on the roster.
- In the same piece, O’Connor passes along that many people in the league believe that Daryl Morey didn’t pull the trigger on Lowry because he has eyes on an even better star.
- In case there was any doubt, O’Connor (in the same piece) writes that the franchise trading Joel Embiid is a non-starter.
- The Sixers want to bring back Danny Green, as we detailed earlier today. Green, who arrived in Philadelphia last offseason, will be a free agent this summer.