Basketball

The 31-year-old former Cleveland Cavalier player has had a checked career, with many well-noted instances where he was accused of being disruptive and indiscipline.  Since the 2013 season, the player has had short stints with at least 10 international clubs, some of which saw his contract terminated under acrimonious circumstances.

 In 2017 for instance, after signing with Serbian club Partizan, he was suspended just one month later.  Samuels was suspended by the club for the violation of its discipline policy and the provisions of his contract, the day after Partizan lost in a EuroCup game against Alba Berlin. 

The suspension was a result of his public criticism of the club, head coach Miroslav Nikolić and other inappropriate remarks toward a female reporter.

“Definitely, we’re human, we make errors. The older you get, the more you understand your errors and possibly more circumstances where I could have been less vocal and simpler, in social media platforms and everywhere,” Samuels said in a recent interview.

“I could have remained in training of course, be peaceful, but that’s something you find out with age. Now I’m much better at 31, I’m a much better guy. I still have this experience having fun for fantastic clubs and coaches,” he added.

“People constantly bear in mind the negative points. I think about the game and the fans that like  to see me play, like the Greek All-StarGame for instance, it’s a true blessing.”

The two were among five persons who perished when Bryant’s helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas.

Several media reports are saying Kobe and Gianna were on their way to his Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when their helicopter crashed. The Academy is located in Thousand Oaks. Kobe coached his daughter’s AAU basketball game called “The Mambas.”

CNN reported Sunday that the Mamba players were waiting on Gianna to arrive for the game but they never did. On hearing news of the crash, the went to their knees in tears.

Gianna shared a love for the sport that made her father famous. He recently admitted in an interview that it was because of her why he began watching NBA games after he retired in 2016.

The death of the recently retired NBA has sent shockwaves through the global sporting community and with the confirmation that his basketball-loving daughter was with him makes the news even more devastating.

“There’s no words to express the pain I am going through now with this tragic and sad moment of losing my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie,” said Shaquille O’Neal with whom Bryant won three consecutive championships between 2002 and 2004.

“I love you my brother and you will be missed. My condolences go out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board.”

Entertainer Jamie Fox posted Gianna and Kobe Rest in Power beneath a picture of Bryant and Gianna standing back to back with the former holding a basketball against her body.

Comedian Kevin Hart posted on his Instagram account beneath a picture of the NBA legend and his talented daughter: “I have no words…All I have is real tears…this is beyond heartbreaking.”

Wembanyama, 18, is viewed as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James entered the 2003 draft straight out of high school, standing at seven-foot-four while demonstrating tremendous movement, ball handling and shooting touch. 

After posting 37 points with five blocks while shooting seven-of-11 from three-point range in his United States debut on Tuesday, the future top overall draft pick backed it up with 36 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in his second go.

The exhibition series was conceived to allow Wembanyama to go head-to-head with fellow top prospect Scoot Henderson, who is signed to the G League. Unfortunately, a knee-on-knee collision between the two headline stars five minutes into the first quarter ended Henderson's night, although he is expected to make a quick recovery after being diagnosed with a bone bruise.

Wembanyama will spend this season playing professionally in France's top league, and his agent confirmed the young phenom has no interest in shutting things down to protect his stock for the draft.

Injuries to Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, as well as the departure of Kevin Durant, left the Warriors with just one remaining All-Star, Draymond Green, and ill-equipped to contend for the Larry O'Brien Trophy again. 

Instead, the Warriors finished a lowly 15-50, making them nothing more than interested spectators as the season reached its conclusion in an Orlando bubble following a coronavirus-enforced suspension. 

The saving grace was that their struggles on the court netted the Warriors the second overall pick in the draft, which takes place on Wednesday. 

Golden State would have obviously preferred the lottery to have ended with them selecting first. However, with Curry and Thompson poised to return, the question over what they will choose to do is one of the most intriguing elements of the draft. 

Should the Warriors select wisely, they will have additional ammunition with which to compete once more at the sharp end of a Western Conference in which LeBron James and reigning NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers will surely be favourites. 

Warriors general manager Bob Myers faces one of the most pivotal decisions in the recent history of the franchise. Here we examine three possible avenues he could take with their highest draft pick since 1995.

Select James Wiseman

Memphis center James Wiseman is the name most frequently connected with the Warriors and the second overall selection. 

Despite Wiseman having played only three games in his collegiate career, it is a choice that would make a lot of sense for Golden State. 

Even at the peak of their dynasty, center was a weakness for the Warriors; Damian Jones failed to fill the void after the struggles of Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli played a significant role in their infamous 2016 Finals collapse. 

A tremendous athletic specimen at 7ft 1in, Wiseman's brief time on the court in college suggested he can help at both ends of the floor. However, it is on defense where he would likely be most valued.

The under-manned 2019-20 Warriors ranked 25th in the NBA in defensive rebounds with 32.9 per game. 

Golden State cannot rely solely on Green and Kevon Looney, who started only four games last season, to improve their rim protection. 

Green led the Warriors with 5.7 defensive rebounds per game in 2019-20. Wiseman averaged 6.3, along with 3.0 blocks and 19.7 points, in his short time at Memphis. 

The sample size may be small and the level of competition much lower, but Wiseman has indicated he can be a defensive force for Golden State. 

With the established core of Curry, Thompson and Green sure to keep them competitive, the Warriors can afford to take a chance on a player of Wiseman's limited experience and bet on his physical tools translating to NBA success.

Draft a wing

Having parted with Andre Iguodala last offseason and lost Shaun Livingston to retirement, the Warriors are lacking a sixth man who can play on the wing. 

Finding a rotational player who can operate as both a guard and forward, switch on defense and provide additional three-point shooting is a priority for Golden State. 

Damion Lee enjoyed a decent season as a swingman in 2019-20, averaging 12.7 points per game and shooting 35.6 per cent from three-point range. 

However, Lee was 11th on the Warriors in Defensive Rating, which estimates the number of points allowed by a player per 100 possessions. They would, therefore, benefit from a wing with the ability to make a greater all-round contribution. 

Georgia guard Anthony Edwards may fit the bill. A potential number one pick, Edwards could prove tough for the Warriors to resist if the Minnesota Timberwolves take LaMelo Ball first overall.

The versatile Edwards was fifth in defensive rebounds per game among guards in the Southeastern Conference with 4.5. 

He was in the top 10 for blocked shots while shooting 40 per cent from the field, though his three-point accuracy may be a concern. Edwards hit on just 29.4 per cent of his attempts from beyond the arc last season. 

And if the Warriors are not comfortable with him or Wiseman, they may be able to move back in the draft and still land a wing that meets their needs.

Trade back for depth

'Strength in numbers' was the strapline attached to the Warriors' playoff runs during their era of dominance. 

It was a fitting slogan. In addition to Curry, Thompson, Green and Kevin Durant, the Warriors could overwhelm teams with the level of options available to them from the bench. 

Yet with Durant limited to one game in the 2019 NBA Finals, it was a rallying cry that made less sense during their defeat to the Toronto Raptors in six games. 

Curry and Green each averaged over 41 minutes per game in that series, while Thompson (37.6) and Iguodala (31.4) also had to do plenty of the heavy lifting, the former tearing his ACL in the decisive Game 6. 

Just four other players who participated in more than one Finals game averaged double figures in terms of minutes and only one, Looney, remains on the roster for 2020-21. 

The Warriors saw rapid development from 2019 second-round pick Eric Paschall, who was named to the NBA's All-Rookie team, in the 2019-20 campaign. 

Trading D'Angelo Russell to the Timberwolves netted Golden State former 2014 first overall pick Andrew Wiggins, yet it is unclear whether the Warriors will stick with him as a reclamation project or use him as bait in another trade. 

Regardless of what happens with Wiggins and the progress of Paschall, the Warriors remain in need of veterans who can take some of the load off their big three. 

Depending on the offers they receive, moving out of the No. 2 pick would potentially enable them to acquire some additional help. 

They could still address the wing even after dropping down the board too, with Israel's Deni Avdija seen as a potential target along with Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Vassell and Saddiq Bey. 

Curry is 32 and Thompson and Green are both 30. The Warriors' window as contenders may not be open for too much longer. 

The question they must answer this offseason is clear: how do they maximise it? Do they select a top-tier prospect who may take time to develop, or do they try to pull off a trade that allows them to potentially add both youth and also much-needed veteran depth to the roster? 

After a year in the wilderness, the Warriors' decision could go a long way to shaping the Western Conference in 2020-21. 

The NBA trade deadline passes on Thursday – in theory meaning an end to Simmons gossip at least until the end of the season.

Led by MVP candidate Joel Embiid, the 76ers are an impressive fifth in the Eastern Conference despite being without second man Simmons for the whole year so far.

The former number one overall pick has been the subject of trade talk for over a year and has actively pushed for a trade since before this season started.

The 76ers have not yet managed to find a deal that suits them, although the looming deadline may focus minds.

Potential trade options are seemingly decreasing, however, with the Sacramento Kings pulling out of talks and the Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal out for the year.

That might mean Simmons staying in Philly, but Rivers is just keen to get to the end of the week regardless.

"Absolutely," Rivers said of anticipating the deadline. "Especially this year, just because of the situation we're in.

"I know our guys are NBA players and all that, but they're human.

"I can't imagine the amount of names that have been thrown in. So every single guy goes to bed tonight thinking this may be his last night or whatever, so that's tough. It really is."

Should Simmons go elsewhere or stay on the sideline, the Sixers will require reinforcements at point guard. Rivers said the team "have to" add depth behind Tyrese Maxey, a breakout star in Simmons' absence.

But there is also the possibility Simmons himself could be the man to bolster Rivers' roster, making an improbable return to action.

Team-mate Embiid said after Tuesday's defeat to the Phoenix Suns: "Like I've been saying since the season started, I'm happy.

"Whoever wants to play is welcome. If someone wants to play, they're welcome. But we've got guys here that want to be here, that show up every single night."

The center was speaking in response to a question on Simmons, who he criticised following last year's playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

In a lengthy answer, Embiid added: "If you want to be part of us, I am sure everybody is going to be fine with it, but you've got to show up. You've got to want to be there. And I'm sure everybody is going to accept whoever that is."

Maxey left prior to the fourth quarter Wednesday before Philadelphia fell to 1-6 on the season with a 110-98 loss in Los Angeles.

Maxey entered Wednesday with averages of 30.2 points and 4.3 assists in Philadelphia's first six games.

Selected 21st overall by the 76ers in the 2020 NBA Draft, Maxey was the 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player and a first-time All-Star last season, when he averaged career highs of 25.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 70 games.

Philadelphia is also without former NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who has yet to play this season due to left knee management and a three-game, league-imposed suspension for shoving a member of the media that will need to be served once healthy.

Paul George, though, did make his 76ers debut Monday after Philadelphia signed the nine-time All-Star in the offseason.

George sat out the team’s first five games after injuring his knee during the preseason.

Rivers was speaking on Wednesday, in response to reports Simmons told the 76ers he will not attend training camp next week and does not plan to play for the team again.

It comes after Simmons' forgettable playoff campaign with the 76ers last season – the 25-year-old Australian failed to impress in the shock Eastern Conference semi-final loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Amid reported interest from the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers, Rivers discussed Simmons' future in Philadelphia.

"I mean it was a good conversation," Rivers told ESPN when asked if Simmons had made it known that he wanted out of Philadelphia.

"He gave his reasons, which we obviously didn't agree with. But you know, in sports, there's been so many times this has happened that hasn't been reported and the guy comes back.

"Listen, we're going to go through it, we're going to always do what's best for the team, but I can tell you up front, we would love to get Ben back.

"And if we can, we're going to try to do that. You know, Ben has a long contract. It's in our hands and we want him back."

A three-time All-Star and elite defender, Simmons and his shooting problems were laid bare during the 2021 postseason with the top-seeded 76ers.

Former number one draft pick Simmons had no fourth-quarter field-goal attempts in his last four games of the playoffs last season. He is the only NBA player in the last 20 seasons to have four consecutive postseason games with no field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter during a season in which he was an All-Star.

Simmons averaged just 10.1 field-goal attempts in 2020-21 – a career low, which dropped to 7.9 in the playoffs. It is the same story with his scoring as it dropped to a career worst 14.3 points per game and 11.9 in the postseason – both career lows.

Then there is Simmons and free throws. He was exposed by rival teams as they regularly sent him to the line, with the Melbourne-born guard making just 25 of 73 shots in the 2020-21 playoffs. His 34.2 free-throw percentage is the lowest ever in a single postseason.

Rivers also tried to clarify comments he made following Philadelphia's elimination at the hands of the Hawks in June.

After the 76ers' failed run at a first NBA title since 1983, Rivers was asked if he thought Simmons could be a guard on a championship team, and he replied: "I don't know the answer to that right now."

On Wednesday, Rivers said: "I want to correct that. I would love you guys to play what I said, because, and I've told you this before Stephen A. [Smith], I never said what was reported.

"The question was asked about Ben, it was the first question after we just lost Game 7, my answer was, 'I'm not answering any of that stuff right now guys, I don't even know how to answer that.' That had nothing to do what's about Ben, I was basically just saying, 'I'm not answering that crap, those questions.'

"It was being portrayed that I was out there saying I don't think we can win with Ben, and I do. I told Ben that the next day. What really disappointed me was the next day I went on and said, 'Guys, y'all knew exactly what I was talking about,' and no one heard it.

"They just kept running their narrative. I've been in sports a long time, and I'm not misrepresented very often, but in that case, I was. But it is what it is. Ben knows, [agent] Rich [Paul] knows, and I know."

Philadelphia president of basketball operations Morey violated the league's anti-tampering rules following a tweet last week, while the 76ers were also fined for his conduct.

Morey tweeted "join 'em" with a picture of an Instagram post by Curry regarding his brother and 76ers guard Seth Curry.

Stephen Curry posted via social media after his brother scored a playoff career-high 30 points in Game 5 of Eastern Conference first-round series against Washington Wizards.

Golden State's Curry is not scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent until after next season having signed a then-record $201million, five-year contract in July 2017.

Curry would be 38 at the end of such a deal, but the two-time MVP has shown no signs of slowing down after averaging a career-high 32.0 points during the regular season to become the oldest NBA scoring champion since a 35-year-old Michael Jordan accomplished the feat in 1997-98.

Harden capped a 42-point effort by hitting a game-winning 3-pointer with 19 seconds left in overtime, lifting the 76ers to a crucial 116-115 Game 4 victory on Sunday that evened the series at 2-2.

The 2017-18 NBA MVP earlier forced overtime by hitting a 16-foot floater with 16.4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, and rebounded strongly from subpar outings in Philadelphia’s losses in Games 2 and 3. Harden shot a combined 5-of-28 from the field in those games, but finished 16 of 23 in Sunday’s win while making 6 of 9 attempts from 3-point range.

Boston’s Marcus Smart nearly answered Harden’s winning shot with some late heroics of his own, but got off a 3-point attempt that went through the net a split second after the final buzzer sounded as the Sixers held on.

Joel Embiid added 34 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers, who blew a 16-point third-quarter lead and trailed 105-100 with two minutes left in regulation before closing out the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run.

Jayson Tatum shook off an 0-of-8 shooting start to finish with 24 points and 18 rebounds and help key the Celtics’ comeback in regulation. Jaylen Brown ended with 23 points and Smart had 21.

Game 5 will take place Tuesday in Boston.
 

Suns withstand Jokic’s 53 points to pull even with Nuggets

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker each scored 36 points and the Phoenix Suns overcame a monster game from Nikola Jokic to earn a 129-124 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the teams’ Western Conference semifinal.

The Suns recorded their second straight home win to even the series at 2-2 despite Jokic amassing a Nuggets’ playoff-record 53 points on 20-of-30 shooting.

Booker had 17 points in the third quarter to help Phoenix take a 98-92 lead into the fourth, and the Suns stretched the advantage to 116-106 on Landry Shamet’s 3-pointer with 4:56 left.

Denver countered with a 12-5 run to close within 121-118 with under two minutes remaining, but the Suns kept the West’s top seed at bay by going 8 for 8 from the foul line in the closing stages.

Jokic’s 53 points were a career high and eclipsed the Nuggets’ single-game record for a playoff game of 50, set twice by teammate Jamal Murray in 2020.

Shamet delivered four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 19 points off the bench for Phoenix, which will head back to Denver for Tuesday’s Game 5. The home team has won every meeting in the series thus far.

Center Embiid was forced into meniscus surgery for a left knee issue at the end of January but Nurse suggested his star man could return before the NBA playoffs.

"I'm still hoping so and pretty confident, yes," the 76ers coach said when asked if Embiid would feature in the postseason.

"I think there's always stages of how these things progress. Everyone wants to know 'Well how long is it going to be?'

"And they give a wide range because of that because everyone heals differently. We're just trying to take it as it comes, get him healthy and get him back when he's ready to go."

Embiid has missed 21 games since tearing his meniscus against the Golden State Warriors, with the 76ers slipping down from third to eighth in the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers man was at least in attendance as Philadelphia downed the Hornets 109-98, with that victory coming after Embiid offered a boost when returning to on-court training.

"He looked pretty good to me," said Cam Payne. "For my first time seeing him, he looked pretty good, man. He attracts a lot of attention out here. So it's probably going to make our job a little bit easier."

Against Charlotte, Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 22 as the 76ers withstood a fourth-quarter comeback for victory.

Buddy Hield also had 14 points and Paul Reed contributed 11, though the 76ers are still 8-13 without key player Embiid.

"I thought Buddy kept us going there for stretches in the second half," Nurse said. "He got some good spots and got some good looks.

"We only scored 109 points, but I thought the offense was really good."

Charlotte have now lost six straight to Philadelphia, though coach Steve Clifford was not too disheartened.

"We were right there with three and a half minutes left," Hornets coach Clifford said.

"We had a couple blown sets where we got a little disorganized there, but we got back into the game and I would say that we played well for about 43 minutes.

"The second quarter, we had a couple of minutes there where the ball didn't hit the paint and we took a couple of OK shots and put a lot of pressure on the defense."

Embiid was expected to sit out Monday's meeting with the New York Knicks as planned rest on the first leg of a back-to-back, but the 76ers subsequently announced he had entered the protocols. 

According to ESPN, the four-time All-Star will now sit out for at least 10 days, ruling him out of Philadelphia's next five games. He could return against the Denver Nuggets next week with the 76ers on a six-game road trip. 

Embiid is averaging 21.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and a career-high 4.0 assists for the 8-2 76ers, who top the Eastern Conference despite having been shorthanded for much of the season.

The 76ers already had Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and Isaiah Joe in the health and safety protocols. 

They have won all four of their games without Harris, including a 113-103 success over the Portland Trail Blazers that Embiid was rested for. 

Danny Green sustained a hamstring injury in that game and was questionable to make his return against the Knicks. 

Philadelphia also remain without Ben Simmons, who has yet to feature this season as he seeks a trade. 

Another option for the reigning NBA MVP would be to rest and rehab the injury instead of having a procedure on the knee.

Embiid was injured in the 76ers' loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in his first game back after missing two contests due to an issue with his left knee.

Embiid is the NBA’s leading scorer with 35.3 points per game and is averaging 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 34 appearances.

He had a franchise-record 70 points to go along with 18 rebounds on Jan. 22 against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Philadelphia 76ers center reacted to Kevin Huerter stealing the ball from him in the final seconds of his team's 129-112 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday by raising his middle finger.

Embiid had a career-high 49 points but opted not to go for a half-century in the closing stages, instead dribbling the ball out to run out the clock.

However, when Huerter claimed possession, the 25-year-old responded with a one-finger salute towards his opponent which was picked up by courtside cameras.

Embiid was then asked after the game in an interview if he is the best player in the world, a question stemming from him making such a claim after a recent win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Opting to stand by his previous comment, he referenced the recent All-Star Game in Chicago – having scored 22 points for Team Giannis - and included the use of an expletive, though he quickly said sorry for his choice of words, as well as issuing an on-air apology for his reaction to Huerter.

In a statement, Kiki VanDeWeghe, executive vice-president of basketball operations for the NBA announced Embiid's punishment, with the amount reflective of his "multiple prior violations of acceptable on-court decorum".

The 76ers are in action on Wednesday, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 2019-20 NBA campaign is set to restart via a 22-team format at the Disney World complex in Orlando, Florida on July 30 after the season was postponed due to COVID-19 in March.

Philadelphia will return to action against Eastern Conference rivals the Indiana Pacers on August 1, boosted by the comeback of All-Star Simmons.

Simmons – averaging 16.7 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game this season – is back to full fitness after a back injury sidelined him in February, showcasing his ability at power forward, having played as a point guard.

"He's so dynamic," Philadelphia's Brown said on a conference call with reporters on Monday. "Let's just talk about running. There's nobody faster in the NBA. So to always have the ball and dribble it up against five guys... to do that dilutes some of his potent weapons.

"So, watching him fly up the floor, watching him and Joel [Embiid] play off each other, has been a really good look. I think they've been fantastic together."

Brown, whose 76ers (39-26) are sixth in the Eastern Conference, added: "You take somebody and say, 'Here's the ball.' It's not like Ben came in and we had Chris Paul on the team or Damian Lillard on the team. We were young, and really not that good, so it was my decision, 'You take the ball. We're going to make you the point guard.' It's not like there was an established point guard that he had to bump out.

"[And] how has he responded to that? Like a star. Just a mature, 'Whatever it's going to take to get this team to be the best it can be with the pieces that we have that can be, I don't know, just designed into a smooth thing'... that is one of the pieces he has to offer. He's been great accepting that, and really killing it in the environment that I just said."

With the 76ers trialling Simmons at power forward, it means Shake Milton is set to replace the Australian as point guard, leaving Al Horford on the bench following his struggles since arriving from the Boston Celtics.

Milton has averaged 9.5 points, 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game in 2019-20, while he scored a career-high 39 points against the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

"He's been amazing," All-Star Joel Embiid said of Milton. "He's been the starting point guard, and I think he has a huge opportunity to help us accomplish what we believe we can.

"He's been doing an amazing job and he's running the team and we're going to need him to knock down shots, which he did, before the league got shut down. He was on a roll so we're going to need him to keep it going. But it's great."

Embiid missed Sunday's 102-97 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder as the 76ers stepped up preparations for their NBA return against the Indiana Pacers in Orlando, Florida on August 1.

The three-time All-Star posted 10 points, six rebounds and an assist in just under 13 minutes of Friday's 90-83 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at Walt Disney Resort.

But the 76ers opted not to take any risks after Embiid – whose fitness has often been questioned – began feeling calf tightness against the Grizzlies.

"Not really," Brown replied when asked if there is any frustration about Embiid missing game time with injury. "It's the second game.

"If this had happened three to four games into what we are calling the regular season, [yes]. There is always frustration, selfish frustration, and I know frustration, at times, for Joel. But initially, [we're] just trying to be smart with everything and move on."

"I believe we're just getting out in front of stuff, and being smart with it," Brown said.

Embiid was averaging 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game prior to the coronavirus pandemic forcing the NBA to be suspended in March.

The 76ers (39-26) are sixth in the Eastern Conference, sharing the same record as the fifth-placed Pacers ahead of the league's resumption.

The NBA will restart via a 22-team format at Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida.

76ers center Embiid and guard Simmons have been the subjects of endless questions about their chemistry, with repeated claims that the pair cannot play together for Philadelphia due to contrasting styles.

Reports have also claimed the 76ers could deal one of the players in pursuit of a title, with big man Embiid apparently seen as the most likely to be moved on should Philadelphia explore a trade.

But Brown believes Embiid and Simmons can lead the 76ers – who have not won the NBA since 1983 – to glory.

"I personally am convinced those two are going to win a championship at some point in their career and that they, for sure, can coexist," Brown told reporters on Monday.

"The myth is that they can't. I think that is so abused and not articulated the way I see it."

Brown, speaking ahead of Tuesday's clash against the Los Angeles Lakers, added: "We played an exciting style and they coexisted just fine.

"It always goes down to surrounding cast and style of play and willingness to coexist and the acknowledgement they need each other. They need each other."

"Do your homework and look at pairings that have won and when they win. You aren't going to see many that are 23 and 26," he continued. "Sometimes it takes a little bit of time.

"These guys are actually in a position where they can do some really special things. How do we surround them with the resources to be able to do that?"

Embiid is averaging 23.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the 76ers this season, while Simmons is averaging 16.7 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds.

The 76ers are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 37-24 record, behind the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks (52-9), Toronto Raptors (42-18), Boston Celtics (41-18), Miami Heat (39-22) and Indiana Pacers (37-24).

The 2020-21 campaign is scheduled to begin on December 22 in a non-bubble environment after last season concluded at Walt Disney World Resort.

COVID-19 forced the 2019-20 season to be suspended in March before the league resumed inside the Orlando bubble in July, with the Los Angeles Lakers going on to win the championship in October.

As the NBA prepares for a reduced 72-game regular season, new 76ers coach Rivers addressed his concerns by pointing to the NFL and college sport.

"Man, I tell you I'm very concerned if we can pull this off," Rivers, who replaced Brett Brown after leaving the Los Angeles Clippers, told reporters on Tuesday.

"Just watching football, in college you have Ohio State missing games, Pittsburgh and Baltimore can't even play a game [in the NFL], they can't get to it, hopefully they play Wednesday now.

"The difference in football is they play once a week. They have 1,000 players, so when you miss three or four players, you can still get away with it. If we miss three or four players, we're in trouble, especially with the amount of games [we play].

"We're playing three to four games a week. So if one of our guys, or two of our key guys, get the virus and they miss 10 days to 14 days, that can be eight games. In a 72-game season, that can knock you out of the playoffs.

"That's a concern, our guys' health is a concern, and that's tough. As a coach, you want to go into your chief concerns being more basketball, and I think every coach's concern right now is probably non-basketball."

Former Boston Celtics coach Rivers is just a few wins away from joining an esteemed group of coaches.

He has 1,034 career wins (770 losses) across the regular season and playoffs – just three victories shy of entering the top 10 for all-time wins in the NBA, level with Red Auerbach. Current San Antonio Spurs great Gregg Popovich tops the list with 1,447.

If you are just looking at the regular season, Rivers has overseen 943 wins (681 defeats), one behind 10th-placed Bill Fitch. Former Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson – a three-time championship-winning coach – stands alone at the top with 1,335.

Rivers also oversaw the fifth-best record in the NBA with the Clippers – 356-208 in the regular season – but failed to reach the Finals.

The Clippers also top the list for most consecutive seasons with 40-plus wins on nine – seven of those campaigns were on Rivers' watch.

Rivers has a 66.2 winning percentage in his first four seasons with a team, only behind Steve Kerr (80.8), Avery Johnson (73.5), Mike D'Antoni (68.2) and Stan Van Gundy (67.7).

"Taking a job during this year of COVID is brutal," Rivers, whose 76ers will open their preseason against the Celtics on December 15, said. "I will just say that. It's brutal. And then making the changes, because we haven't had a chance to be in the gyms with our guys. We can't even put in our stuff, and then you have like a week-and-a-half, and you're in [regular-season] action.

"We're going to simplify things as much as possible. It clearly wouldn't be what I would do if it was normal circumstances. It is what it is. Teams like Boston and Milwaukee and Miami, that are already set, they have an advantage.

"We are fine with that, but we have to make up the deficit, and we probably have to do it through work."

The Sixers went down 108-97 in New York on Sunday, despite taking a 21-point lead in the first quarter.

Philadelphia's advantage was cut to just two by halftime, and although they restored a three-point cushion heading into the final quarter, they could not hold out.

Having seen his team surrender a 21-point lead for the second game in a week, coach Rivers bemoaned the play of those he had to call on from the bench.

"I thought our second unit came in and struggled," Rivers told reporters.

"This is the second time that has happened. The same thing happened in Orlando.

"Both times, we were scoring too easy. The second group comes in and thinks this is an offensive game and they didn't see the reason the first group got the lead was because of defense."

Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and James Harden started and each posted double-doubles for the 76ers, yet Tyrese Maxey was the only substitute to get into double figures for points (12).

In contrast, the Knicks bench accounted for 37 points, with Evan Fournier putting up 17 of them.

Rivers did, however, insist it was "not just a bench loss".

"We've been good at that. Just because one half doesn't work, you don't vacate the unit," he said.

"That's what guys do who lose a lot. So they didn't play well, though honestly, I didn't think that's why we lost the game.

"I hate that the numbers look like it was the bench: it was everybody. This was a team loss and I made that clear.

"We'll sit and look and we'll see minus-24 and plus-34s, our stars were in some of that too when Fournier was making those shots, and so I just thought it was a team loss. I thought it was more mental and emotional than just playing basketball.

"I thought we were just not strong. Mentally, I thought they were the mentally tougher team and they deserve to win."

Embiid, who led the game with 31 points, 14 rebounds and three assists, added: "It's never easy.

"A 20-point lead in the NBA, that's nothing. Any team can come back and that's what they did tonight."

With less than 10 seconds left and the 76ers leading 102-98, DeRozan drove to the bucket for a dunk that would have ensured a tense finale but was blocked by Embiid. It was a play that Rivers labelled "game-saving" and likened to a move by Miami Heat great Mourning.

Embiid has not been at his best this season, averaging 21.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He finished this game with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists but stood up when it counted.

"Big play at the rim. Really big play," Rivers told reporters after the game. "I love when bigs go after dunks. Half these guys in the league won't go after it because they are worried if they get dunked on.

"I love the Alonzo Mourning approach. I thought Joel took it. Going after DeRozan, that's a big play, that's a game-saving play."

Seth Curry top-scored for the Sixers with 22 points, shooting nine from 14 from the field, including a clutch two-pointer to put them 102-98 up.

The result improved Philadelphia, who are still without Ben Simmons, to 6-2 and completed a run of four home games with four wins.

The 76ers were also missing starters Tobias Harris (COVID-19) and Danny Green (hamstring), making their run of victories more impressive having been 2-2 after a 112-99 loss to the New York Knicks.

"It was huge. We talked about it after the New York game. We had a four-game home stand, we had to win them all," Rivers said.

"We obviously didn’t know we'd have all these guys out. The fact we still won them all with all these guys out was pretty cool."

Simmons demanded a trade amid criticism following last season's playoff exit to the Atlanta Hawks and was absent from Philadelphia for the first two weeks of preseason work before showing up on October 11 to begin fulfilling COVID-19 protocols that would allow him to re-join the championship-chasing franchise.

As the 76ers – who claimed the Eastern Conference top seed in 2020-21 – gear up for the new season, Rivers was again asked about Simmons' availability.

"I have no idea," Rivers told reporters after Simmons participated in practice on Monday. "Honestly, I haven't even thought about it much.

"When it comes, I'll make the decision. But I'm just going to wait and see and watch. The spirit has been so good, and so we’re just going to keep going."

"Just learning the new stuff, conditioning, timing, rhythm," Rivers said.

"We've been together for three weeks, so we've established a good rhythm. So the more he's been in, the more he does, especially when we're working on our offensive stuff earlier, because we've built from last year but we tweaked a lot of stuff. But it's easy to pick up, especially for him."

Simmons – an elite defender – and his shooting problems were laid bare during the 2021 postseason with the top-seeded 76ers, who were eliminated in the semi-finals.

Former number one draft pick Simmons had no fourth-quarter field-goal attempts in his last four games of the playoffs against the Hawks last season. He is the only NBA player in the last 20 seasons to have four consecutive postseason games with no field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter during a season in which he was an All-Star, according to Stats Perform.

Simmons averaged just 10.1 field-goal attempts in 2020-21 – a career low, which dropped to 7.9 in the playoffs. It was the same story with his scoring as it dropped to a career-worst 14.3 points per game and 11.9 in the postseason – both career lows.

Then there is Simmons and free throws. He was exposed by rival teams as they regularly sent him to the line, with the Melbourne-born guard making just 25 of 73 shots in the 2020-21 playoffs. His 34.2 free-throw percentage is the lowest ever in a single postseason.

On chemistry, Rivers added: "It'll grow. It'll come back. I'm not that concerned, right now, with it. They are interchanging, it's coming, and it just takes time.

"Chemistry is huge, and I think overall our chemistry is phenomenal right now and we want to keep it going."