Sixers teammates want — no, need — Ben Simmons to be more aggressive vs. Raptors
Plus, the six former college players the Sixers are bringing in ahead of June's draft.
Ben Simmons appeared passive.
The 76ers point guard finished with 10 points on 5-for-10 shooting in Sunday’s 101-96 Game 4 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Yet, his performance in this game of the Eastern Conference semifinal could be described as timid. The All-Star passed up shots and rarely attacked the basket.
His teammates want and need him to be more aggressive.
“If you ask Ben, I told Ben every time down the floor to attack. Every single time,” Jimmy Butler said. "I’m cool with if Coach calls a play and you feel like you’ve got the mismatch, by all means attack and Coach will be like ‘why did you do it?’ And I promise you I will say I told him to do it.
“I want Ben to be aggressive, just like I told Jo [Joel Embiid] to be aggressive. Attack.”
Butler told the Sixers’ two young stars the team won’t win without them. That’s why he wants Simmons to be ready to attack at any point in time.
"‘Ben, don’t pass the ball in transition,' " Butler said. " 'Attack every single time. That’s how we’re going to win this game.’"
Simmons was asked to assess his shot selection in Sunday’s loss.
“It was OK,” he said.
Predraft workout
Just because they’re in the playoffs doesn’t mean the Sixers can’t be preparing for June NBA draft.
The squad will have a predraft workout Monday morning for Oshae Brissett (Syracuse), CJ Elleby (Washington State), Andrew Nembhard (Florida), Ronshad Shabazz (Appalachian State), Tres Tinkle (Oregon State), and Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra).
Right now, the Sixers have the 24th pick of the first round and four second-round selections (Nos. 33, 34, 42, and 54).