Just what the Sixers don't need
Ben Simmons has an ominous-sounding, vague back injury at a critical time for Philadelphia. What now?
Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Hilly Landscape With Figures Approaching a Bridge, Thomas Gainsborough
Disconcerting news out of Philadelphia broke on Monday, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that Ben Simmons’ back injury — soreness that held him out of the first game out of the All-Star break, then knocked him out early in Saturday’s primetime showdown with the Bucks — isn’t a day-to-day thing, and will effect more than the Sixers’ upcoming road trip, which ends March 7. Gulp.
Backs are nothing to mess with, and in retrospect it’s surprising that Simmons tried to play on Saturday if it’s this serious. If Simmons is limited for the rest of the regular season, that prevents the Sixers from getting a better read on whether the combination of Simmons and Joel Embiid can work stylistically. (I think it can and does — the team just needs more shooting around them.) If Simmons is limited or out in the playoffs, that’s another year with a championship window lost to cursed fate for Philadelphia. Last year, four bounces. This year, a bad back.
Luck and the lack thereof play such an enormous role in this sport. The Sixers really have been snakebitten with injuries in recent years. The Markelle Fultz saga was absolutely bizarre on every level. Both Simmons and Embiid missed their first seasons (two for Joel!) due to injury. The same for Nerlens Noel.
This is material for Brett Brown, too. He has one more year left on his contract. If Simmons is limited or out the rest of the way and Philadelphia ends up 5th or 6th in the East and out in the first round, does Elton Brand give Brown another extension? Does he let him coach as a lame duck next season? Does he replace him this summer? Philadelphia expected a title contender. At least if Simmons were healthy for the stretch run, Brown would have a chance to figure this out and press ahead. It’s hard to see how that happens with Shake Milton and Raul Neto running the point.
Maybe the ominous tone of reports coming out of Philly are false worries and Simmons will be back and good as new in two weeks. If not, there are a lot of domino effects to be concerned about here.
Mamba Memorial
I haven’t gotten a chance to watch the entire Kobe and Gianna Bryant memorial, but there were clearly some standout moments that touched a lot of people on a highly emotional day.
Beyoncé opened the memorial with “XO,” which is a song I had ever never associated with remembering a lost friend before, and holy smokes, these goosebumps are permanent.
Shaq brought an instant classic anecdote about his trying partnership with Kobe. (Love something like Shaq loves cursing on live T.V.)
Here’s the full Michael Jordan eulogy — the most eloquent, lovely, funny speech I’ve ever seen MJ give.
And finally, Vanessa Bryant’s eulogy was beautiful and devastating.
Marc Spears writes about how the memorial brought the enormous basketball family together.
Scores
Heat 119, Cavaliers 125 (OT) — The Road Heat remain completely untrustworthy (despite Bam Adebayo putting up a 22-13-9-3-4 line). Meanwhile, Cleveland rookie Kevin Porter Jr. had a breakout game with 30 points on 9-18 shooting.
Hawks 112, Sixers 129 — Not mentioned in our Sixers dispatch above: Joel Embiid scored 49 points, which is a lot.
Bucks 137, Wizards 134 (OT) — Someone made Milwaukee work! Giannis Antetokounmpo actually had to play [checks box score] … nope, he only played 25 minutes because of foul trouble. (Are the refs helping Giannis rest? My column:) (He fouled out in 25 minutes and STILL had 22 and 14 plus, somehow, eight turnovers.) Bradley Beal had 50 for the second straight night and still lost. 108 points in a back-to-back and two Ls. So brutal.
Magic 115, Nets 113 — Brooklyn’s game-winner attempt was a Taurean Prince three that hit iron. Not exactly how they drew it up this summer.
Suns 131, Jazz 111 — Utah got absolutely worked by a mediocre team at home riding a two-game losing streak. The Jazz got outrebounded, they were careless with the ball, they only assisted on half their buckets, they obviously didn’t defend up to their standard. Donovan Mitchell did his job, attacking the rim and getting good looks. It’s hard to find another Jazzian who is absolved on this one. Brutal skid right now given the expectations.
Schedule
Busy Tuesday with a TNT doubleheader. All times are Eastern. Games are on League Pass unless otherwise noted.
Hornets at Pacers, 7
Bucks at Raptors, 7:30, TNT — yes yes yes
Thunder at Bulls, 8
Pistons at Nuggets, 9
Pelicans at Lakers, 10, TNT — this pairing has new intrigue with Zion
Celtics at Blazers, 10
Kings at Warriors, 10:30
Links
On the plane ride in which the Lakers found out Kobe had died.
Sabrina Ionescu, on a day she made college basketball history, on her decision to return to Oregon for her senior season and her friendship with Kobe.
As I noted Monday, the Mavericks are protesting the shady loss to the Hawks. John Hollinger’s piece in The Athletic ($) dubs the franchise owner’s protest and loud Twitter protests the “Cuban Whistle Crisis,” which is brilliant.
How the NBA has mourned Kobe through sneakers.
Folks, you should subscribe to Power Plays. Important, excellent work by a great reporter.
Do the Bucks have the best defense ever?
Seven enormous upsets in women’s college ball this past weekend, summed up by Natalie Weiner.
Incredible Paul George quote.
Rob Mahoney on Russell Westbrook.
Thanks for your support. Be excellent to each other.