The Sixers beat the Pacers last night, guys on the road without Joel Embiid, who was out due to a sore back.

It was their first win without him beat this season.

So, Zack, what did that tell you about the Sixers?

You know what I like 21 points for Ben Simmons on nine of 12 shooting?

Didn't look afraid to get to the foul line that Ben Simmons one we've seen for the last 10 days or so since that fourth quarter against Boston.

They get that guy and that Tobias Harris has played this season plus two l and B.

There are problem in the playoffs.

They're a threat to win the East.

And Ben Simmons is the litmus test.

Absolutely.

And look.

I was more impressed with their defense, the defense of side of things, and not just last night, but overall, Philly has been locked in, and they have a couple of wing defenders that don't give enough credit.

They everybody prays Steph Curry for his scoring and shooting ability, but he's a pest on the defense event, and we already know what Ben Simmons bring to the table.

Ah, guy that arguably could be the defense of player of the year.

He is the anchor, but I just love how guys are buying into their rose.

Doc Rivers has these guys being stars in their rows, and I love watching this 76 a team play.

Yeah, that's such a good point.

Perk.

You really like the way the front office with Daryl Morey and Elton Brand has worked hand in hand with Doc Rivers to do two things right?

So they changed personnel a bit toe.

Let the players that they have be featured more, have more space, more shooting around their two main guys.

But then Doc has also, as you pointed out, he's getting the best out of everyone, right?

He's getting the best out of Joel that we have ever seen.

He's definitely told Ben, Hey, you just have to be Ben Simmons.

You don't have to be a three point shooting machine.

Just be yourself.

Play your game.

He's getting the best out of Tobias Harris again, which we saw here in L.

A.

And it's just fun to see guys succeed the way they can play instead of trying to be something they're not.

So that's one.

That's one of things I like most about watching the Sixers right now.

It's also been fun watching the New York Knicks guys and look, not everybody in the sort of reconfigured way they are approaching the game has been getting playing time, right?

You know Tom Thibodeau?

He plays his big guys.

Big minutes.

That doesn't leave minutes for some of the other guys.

So Dennis Smith Jr has asked to go down to the G League, where he will play down in the Orlando bubble with their affiliate.

Smith, of course, one of the key pieces in the poor.

Zynga's trade back in 2019 just hasn't gotten the opportunity he wanted this season.

And so he wants to play more often and keep his skills up.

Perk.

What is your reaction to that?

Well, I actually love it.

A smart move by Dennis Smith Jr Thio.

Make sure that he get his reps up because he's not gonna be able to get those type of reps up in practice.

And for him not to put his pride aside and say, You know what?

I'm gonna go down to the G lead to make sure I stay sharp.

Also go down to the G G lead to prove toe other organizations that you still got.

It is still audition so that you're not just sitting on the bench for the New York Knicks.

So other teams could say, You know what?

I might need a trade for this guy, and he could come over here and get many sports.

Yeah, I think it's great that the Knicks granted his request and, you know, its perks said, We're long past the point where there's something to be ashamed of going to the G League or something like that.

I mean, good on Dennis Smith for saying I wanna play the basketball is good.

Yeah, I gotta live in a bubble That probably kind of stinks, But I want to see if my games, you know, in condition to get ready for the N B a again, and there's only one way in his opinion.

You could do that and that's to get in game so good on everybody for making this work perk.

When you played with the D League team, how did that sort of How did you decide?

I'm comfortable with that because it's still I still want to do more in the MBA.

Well, well, the thing is, when you put your pride aside, I was a 13 year vet.

But when you get down, there is such a humbling feeling and it makes you work hard because you're watching so many guys, Rachel, that I'm gonna give you a quick story.

We played in the in the clinic and the Cavs Arena.

The Cavs were on the road and we played the Chicago Bulls, and I remember us walking into the locker room and my teammates were sitting up here really taking pictures and posting it on instagram of LeBron James locker Kevin Love Locker.

We got blown out, but just there being in the locker room, I saw the joy on the guy's face is, and I'm gonna tell you something.

A lot of guys in the G League pass up six figure jobs overseas just to get a 10 day.

All they want is a jersey to say that, you know what?

I made it to the league, whether it was for one month and it was a humbling experience for me when I got back to the NBA.

I treasured everything from the training staff of the facilities toe, the private Jets, the you know, the five star hotels.

I didn't take anything for granted.

It was the best thing that happened for me in my career.

For us playing basketball, very humble.

I love it.

Perk.

I love that attitude, and it's good.

I think it would be really good for Dennis Smith Jr to so kudos to him for doing the mature thing.

E.

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