As Ben Simmons ramps up shooting work, 76ers crowd chants ‘We want Lillard’ during Damian Lillard free throws

Philadelphia sports activities followers have by no means been identified for his or her subtlety. Because the Ben Simmons saga drags on, the 76ers have been quietly the No. 1 ranked offense within the league coming into play on Monday, and the trustworthy nonetheless really feel like championship competition is one huge commerce away. 

On Monday, with the Blazers on the town for the beginning of a brief two-game street journey, the Sixers crowd let or not it’s identified that Damian Lillard is the participant they need, breaking right into a “We Need Lillard” chant whereas the Portland star shot a pair of free throws early within the first quarter. 

Lillard has been the apple of Sixers GM Daryl Morey’s eye because the begin of this Simmons stalemate. Lillard appeared on the verge of requesting a commerce from Portland over the summer time, and although he has since reaffirmed his allegiance to the Trail Blazers, everyone knows that may change in an NBA minute. When and if it does, Morey desires to be able to ship Simmons to the Northwest if he can get Portland to play ball. 

Morey has already reportedly provided Simmons to the Blazers for CJ McCollum and a number of first-round picks and swaps, however the Blazers stated no. To me, that is nonetheless the deal that makes probably the most sense for each side, and if Morey ultimately relents on his demand for such a wealthy draft bundle along with McCollum, it nonetheless is likely to be the one which will get performed. Lillard seems like a Hail Mary. 

Curiously sufficient, Sixers coach Doc Rivers stated earlier than the Blazers sport that Monday was probably the most he had seen Simmons within the health club engaged on his shot since he returned to Philadelphia following his preseason holdout. Simmons, in fact, is but to swimsuit up for the Sixers, and it stays to be seen if he ever will once more. Simmons has stated he isn’t mentally able to play. 

Sixers followers appeared to have misplaced their endurance for Simmons. They need Lillard. They possible will not get him. However they’ll need to get some form of Simmons return that retains them on not less than the fringes of championship competition in order to not waste any extra of Joel Embiid’s prime.