Ben Simmons: 'If it's open, I'll take it'

76ers point guard Ben Simmons has been a combination of thrilling and puzzling through two seasons in Philadelphia.

While his natural talent is through the roof, and his work ethic is very noticeable, it's always been a mystery why he doesn't have a jump shot. Simmons has often talked about wanting to be the best, but you can't be considered a top play maker without doing a basic fundamental of the sport--shooting. Not only wasn't he shooting, but he kind of refused to talk about it as well. 

It's why Monday's Media Day session with Simmons was so refreshing. Not only was the 6-foot-10 point guard a little more conversational about incorporating a jumper, but he also made a very viral declaration when asked about shooting three-pointers.

"It's just a part of the game," Simmons aid. "So if it's open, I'll take it."

Simmons on shooting jumpers: "If it's open I'll take it." -- pic.twitter.com/tsD1n82XAv

Not a bad sound byte, especially if it doesn't come to fruition. 

It was only a year ago that Simmons basically said him shooting a three ins't going to happen in 2018-19. So, "If it's open, I'll take it," was a completely 180 of that. 

"I'm more confident in what I've been the doing and the reps I've been putting in." 

Since coming out of college, Simmons had never been a guy that enjoys press conferences. At least, he never showed any pleasure in holding them. And that certainly could've been the case Monday afternoon in Camden. Still, he was much more relaxed and didn't appear as bothered by questions that would annoy him in the past. Simmons has fallen back in love with basketball, also a good sign for 2019-20.

"I think I was just too worried about what people were saying and what was going on around," Simmons said. "Too many outside noises. And I was able to really block them out this summer and just not really focus on what people were saying because, at the end of the day, I don't really care anymore unless it's coming from somebody in my circle or somebody that's trying to help me get better."

Embiid More Than 64 Games?

If you're one of those people who think Joel Embiid doesn't care, just look at his face after Kawhi Leonard sunk that jumper to win Game 7. Those weren't fake tears. Losing in that fashion hurt, and in a sense, kind of woke the big guy up a little. Embiid knows now that it's  imperative to be in tip-top condition so he can avoid injuries, allowing him to be the dominant force we know he's capable of being.

Embiid is down 20 pounds from last season. It was 25, but he put five back on, claiming it's muscle. Regardless, the center says he's not satisfied with physical condition as it currently sits. He's been rehabbing over the summer, and is looking forward to full-court cardio to help get him into the shape he's seeking. Embiid said his left knee feels fine going into training camp.

Along with getting into shape comes the acceptance of a medical/load management plan that will "deliver" Embiid to the postseason without any significant limitations. 

"Especially (GM) Elton (Brand), they've created that relationship with me where we can trust each other, because in the past, with the past GM, it wasn't all that," Embiid said. 

That jab, presumably at Bryan Colangelo, was funny. But, Embiid's desired number of regular season games was alarming. 

Last season, after playing too many minutes and games prior to the All-Star break, and not enough afterwards, Embiid totaled 64 prior to the playoffs.

"If everything goes right, it's definitely going to be way better than I did the past previous years," he said. "Last year I think I averaged the high 64 games. It's definitely going to be over that."

It should be less than that. Leonard played 60 regular season games for the Raptors last year, which is an appropriate benchmark for Embiid. Anything more in an 82-game season is irresponsible and risky.

Embiid's aspirations to gain the one-seed, Defensive Player of the Year and MVP are admirable. They're more likely to happen with a workload less than 64 games. 

Mike Scott Takes The High Road

Mike Scott is a man of the people. 

I've never seen an athlete interact with fans as well, as often and as publicly as Scott. Even "pick-up playing Embiid" doesn't match the selfie-taking maven that is the 76ers backup forward.

When Scott got in a fight with some tailgating Eagles fans before the season opener versus the Redskins, it made headline news. As time immediately transpired, it was obvious something offensive and inappropriate was said to Scott, a Virginia native wearing a Redskins jersey that day. 

Scott confirmed that in his first public comments since the fight. 

"He was popping hella (expletive), you know what I'm saying," Scott said, explaining what one of the fans was directing toward him. "He was going off. I don't know, maybe it was the microphone...Once you take it to that next level, you start throwing other slurs out there, now I got to see if you match that energy."

Despite Scott making it clear Monday that this guy's words sparked the incident in September, the Sixers veteran also took the high road, multiple times. 

"Looking back on it, I always play devils' advocate with myself. Definitely should've walked away before it got to that point," he said. "I'm the professional. I got to be the bigger person and walk away."

The Sixers didn't discipline Scott, and that group of fans received public embarrassment for their actions. Scott doesn't feel bad for them, but he'll also accept any apology. His wonderful interaction and relationship with fans in general will continue.

"I don't feel no type of way towards the Eagles fans or anyone," Scott said. "It's Philly. We had a brawl before noon, and then went to enjoy a football game. What a day."​