Mailbag Monday | Daryl Morey Answers Your Questions!

Most of honestly, homecourt in the playoffs comes down to, if you happen to get to a Game seven, it gives you a pretty solid edge. We also cover a lot of stuff in between. Satwith Joel. He's so fired up to get back out there and when he gets back, as Wall Street Bets would say to the moon, I'm Lauren Rosen a very special mailbag Monday with seventy six Ers President of basketball Operations Daryl Morey. All right, let's

start with some context. When I caught up with Daryl, it was the day after the trade deadline, and when he turned on Zoom, he insisted on having a virtual cat on his head. We're so happy to have you joined us. For Mailbag Monday. We're gonna make it fun. Figure out. I can't figure how to turn this this off. Let me, let me have to try, but let's do one question this way perfect. Well, So Mailbag Monday is

very simple. We make Mondays all about our fans. We respond to their voicemails, their dms, their mentions, and they always want to hear from you. So thank you for doing this with us. Ready, okay, ready, you have one new message. So our first question comes from Hayden Banks thirteen on Instagram, and you're gonna laugh, but I actually am standing by this question. He says, what makes Darryl such a genius? What makes you so good at what you do? This? That question deserves a cat on my head?

That's what That's what. That's all I say to that question.

I'm not. I mean, I think like the main thing I try to do is make sure I'm listening to like the people around me and doing it in a way because you can get caught in group thing, but doing it a way where you're taking the best of what people are suggesting and hopefully filtering out the you know, the ones that maybe the ideas that aren't the right time or aren't the right suggestion, So I reject as as the famous David Stern would say, his question assumes

facts not in evidence. So when you say you listen to the people around you, when your digital reporter tells you to take the cat off your head, that doesn't count as a time to listen. Um. Well, I was having trouble turning it off. It may try and flip it to something else here. Well, well you're working on that. Let's get to our first voicemail. You have one new message. Hey, Daryl,

Joe from Delffill calling here. How do you respond to the notion that other teams may ask more of you, know of you or of the Sixers in a treat because they know that you're known as kind of a wheeler and a dealer and the eight things seemed with the trade deadline here, Um, it seems like teams were asking a little bit too much. Um. It sounds like they were asking for more from the Sixers than they were from other teams. Thanks Joe from Delco. What do

you think? I think teams are very professional, they're very you know, they're just trying to optimize for their team. I don't see them. I don't. I don't see them changing their their price or how they're behaving. I just I do see those rumors all the time, but I don't I don't think that's the case. Fair enough, you have one new message. Next one is from zach or Debt. How do you see George Hill fitting in on this team?

So George Hill two a player we've been looking for for for some time, one that um, you know, brings strong defense, uh and also elite shooting at the same time gives coach another option. Um. You know, we like giving um players that can can play in different environments against different opponents, different matchups. Uh, so you know we can get them. You know, Doc Rivers, I would say Doc Rivers is a genius and I like to give him the tools so he can show that to everybody.

You guys have a really good buddy comedy bit going on together, because every time I ask either of you about the other, it's all excellent. I'm really happy for you guys. Yeah, no, that's that's fine. I hadn't thought about that, but uh, um yeah, I mean it is like, actually buddy comedy. That's a good way to do it, because you know, so it came together fast, right, you know, and I would say, um, I have you know he look, I'm like, well, who's the I'm the I'm the Chris

Rock of the Buddy, you know. I'm like, I'm not the I'm like this, I'm like this, I'm the I'm the Robin of this Buddy comedy for sure. Um, you know, Doc's want a title and obviously so it was a you know, a great player and in the Hall of Fame coach in this league. So I'm just hoping that Elton and myself can can give him the give him the tools he needs. Well, both of you plus Elton honestly humble as always, and you guys are obviously doing

a great job. This one's interesting. It's from zero Daddy underscore. What's the most difficult decision you've had to make in your professional life so far? So these are good questions you've chosen. You've chosen wisely, Lauren with these questions, UM uh wow, I'm like so many, so many things going. The most difficult I will say the trade Dad last year was not difficult like George Show was like sometimes

the trade deadline choices are hard, and it was. He was just a very obvious choice given our array of options and things we could do. UM, So I'm gonna go with the easiest deadline. I'm gonna do that thing where you just dodged a question. Totally fine. I've got another one right on deck for you. Right, okay, all right, all right, the double hout, sir. I'm ready. You have one new message. This one comes from the voicemail line question for Darryl. He talks a lot about championship odds,

raising them and increasing your opportunities to win. One of the questions I've had is, UM, what's the value of being the one seed, especially this season with Milwaukee in Brooklyn looking like such, you know, serious competition, because is being the one seed? Is that UM significantly raised the team's championship odds where it is pretty negligible, thank you.

What definitely raises that. Obviously home court and especially a Game seven NBA history, Game seven's UM, the home team wins at extremely high rate, especially in front of these crazy Philly fans. UM. That's that. I wish it was a higher I wish it was a bigger boost. Um. If you get to a Game seven, it's a big boost. But often you know, series don't go to seven, and

then then it becomes a little bit more negligible. Most most of honestly, home court in the playoffs comes down to if you happen to get to a game seven, it gives you a pretty solid edge. Well, I think Sixers fans know what you mean when you talk about game seven's of late. Would have been nice to have that latest one on six Ers floor. Yeah, yeah, was that the bouncing ball? Like, yeah, that one was a great shot took him out of the playoffs. Yeah, he missed.

It was like just bounced like eighty times, Like I was like a like ten percent chance to go. And I'm sure that doesn't make anyone feel better, but the shot missed exactly, but the Sixers had momentum. If you ask any Sixer fan, they remember it didn't feel great. Anyway, back to the Instagram questions, you have one new message leaves dot Sam three two three says what did you have for breakfast on deadline day? So I don't eat

breakfast ever? Um, sad day. I qualified for vac scene because my height, you know, size ratio you know, put me on the list. Sadly, so I had to take breakfast out a while ago or I would I would have qualified even sooner. Um, but I would say, Dad, l Dad, don't even I don't even eat till three. Actually, you know we had we had Chick fil A. We ate about three thirty and we ate Chick fil A. We actually, if we want to stick to the we want to stick to the truth, we can we can

fete of the chick Fila. All right, let's go back to the pod line. You have one new message. This question is for darryl. Um. I just in the bathroom about Bend the viability as a small ball five. I know it tond of fans bringing up all the times because of its size and his length and now his strength.

So I guess my question is, do you think you know Benn had a small ball thought kind of takes away from his perimeter proundness and an awesome this Or do you think you know someday he can develop into more of a rim protector at a small ball five and that would be a more viable lineup. I'd love to get your thoughts. Yeah, why limit Ben? Ben? Ben

has an you know, unlimited future, um doing lots of things. Um, I would say, you know, in the past, I don't think either Doc or the other coaches have gone to that lineup much. I think the history of it is up and down. But you know, he's a very unique player that it's even something you can go like, hey, let's try this, you know, because he's so unique and amazing. So I do think it can be viable against certain teams.

Doc has gone to it when he felt like it was the right move, and then we've we've had I think a little more success with it this year than past years. Sticking with Ben now from Eric W Noro seventeen, how much longer until the whole league notices that Ben's defense is truly next level? I think they've noticed. Yeah, I think that one's done. Yeah. I think as any like number one and all the ladders and stuff from another team, you're gonna get fine. You know how to

say his name? Well you don't get fine? I am yeah, you can't. Well technically no. Well, let me ask you about someone that you can talk about from our Shawn underscore mussoom sorry if I butchered that. Um, what do you think of Matisse Thyble as a secret defensive weapon? He's not very secret. He's like the he might be the best defender in the league. No offense to ban. I mean, I think it's easy to be great undo when you specialize it, which which he does. I'd still

have Banned as number one. I mean we have three of the top ten for sure, like like unarguable, which is a pretty pretty awesome to happen again, another testament to coach Rivers and uh and the crew. So yeah, not not not very secret. I don't think I will actually add a question from me based on what you just said. What's it like? Now? Harrassing? Like tag you had to read? Ever? Like a Twitter handle or an Instagram handle, you know, like you know, I don't know

some of them. Some of them are a little weird. And then sometimes they don't make the mailbag because I don't want to read the handle. Does anyone snuck one by you or later you're like, oh, we got to cut that out. It's like a secret, you know, if you've gone yet. Not yet. But I'm vulnerable. I'm definitely vulnerable. You're gullible. Yeah, more of your questions and Darryl Moorey's answers on this week's Mailbag Monday coming up, what's up?

Sixers fans, it's Brian Seltzer. The home stretch of the season is here. Simmons with a steel then get it back and hammers and up high and Harris down to the way. Oh man, this is not the time to miss out on anything that's happening with the seventy Sixers. Our suggestion give us a humble follow right here on The Scoop, the daily five minute podcast from the seventy

Sixers Podcast Network. Join me, Lauren Rosen and Matt Murphy as we set the scene on game day seventy Sixers, begin a four game day for another home game for the seventy Sixers by this month, and take you inside the locker room for instant reaction and analysis. First thing the morning after He's game willing to be Legs dominant. These wins really solidify your team. I think, Ober, I'm

becoming a better point guy on Leader. I think I've gotten a lot better that Listen episodes and as much time as it takes you to rush your teeth, pour a cup of coffee, or take the dog app for a morning walk, make the Scoop part of your routine the morning of and morning after every seventy Sixers game find and follow us by arching seventy six or scoop wherever you get your problems. Let's get back to this

week's mail bag with Daryl Morey. You just said that you guys have three of the top ten defenders in the NBA right now. What's it been like to now be part of such a defensive minded team that's having so much defensive success. I love it and takes me back to my early years in the NBA when we

had the top defense. So when I was in Houston three years running obviously with yaman Man in the middle, and so I love it and Doc Rivers and Dan Burke or just you know, just crushing a popeye John shout out to him who has also been he had done defense, so pretty exciting, awesome. This one's back to the voicemail line. You have one new message, yo, Daryl. We need to teach some more beball. Paul minute, come on,

man about to answer back in the same cadence. You know, Hey, row um, we all we all are excited about the ball, and unfortunately team team is tripping and playing hot or lit and uh and so hard to make the rotation. You should be happy though, got some fire minutes against the Lakers last night. In all seriousness, what's it been like to watch him developed? Did you know he had all this in him? I mean, look, are scouting staff does an amazing job at identifying folks and obviously I

think you know time, time will tell. But all three key guys we brought in are doing well. And that's a testament to Elton and Prosper who's been leading this kind of group, and Vince, who was in charge of it last year. Um, when you pick someone fifty whatever hate, you don't expect him the MVP of the dealing. You expect Hey, this is a solid pick we think can fit in over time to have him, you know, just crush it, get out the mud and and and play unbelievable. Yeah,

in the d League was was was really cool? And uh news, when's this going news? Slash for signing him today? I think this will go up after we signed him. So breaking news on the Lauren hard copy Bump Bump bum first announced here though to no one and then released Monday. So love that you have one new message. Let's wrap it up with rapid fire. I want to let you go from him. Oh is it like a game. No, it's just like they're just potentially quick answers. Adam Arabio

four says, what was your favorite team growing up? Cavaliers? And that's why I didn't watch the Michael Jordan uck. I hate Michael Jordan as a player. Everything else is fine, but he kept eliminating me. But Cavaliers by far basketball, I'm assumingly asking me this one shout out to Mark Price, my guy. This one from Billy Maroon, and this is one that I would love to hear your answer for. Hi, Darryl, what's your favorite musical? Oh? Wow, that's tough. That's like

choosing your children. I'd probably stay at the top of my head. I'd go I'm gonna go Lamez, I'm gonna go into the woods. I'll go Pirates a Penzance as maybe with a little wicked Chaser thrown in there. Those are some elite choices I can I can co sign all of those. Crack Underscore Jack so that's a good one where it's like, oh, I don't know about that hen Oh shit, yeah it might yeah, if you google, it might not be what you want to see. So Crack Underscore Jack says, what do you think is the

most dangerous thing about the Sixers come playoff time. Well, I just think, you know, it's the obvious in transition. You know, Ben's just a monster. Uh, teams have to scheme to stop him from going downhill. And then you know, when you're in the half court ball to Joel, no one can go him single handedly, and good luck dublin him. I mean, we're gonna be We're gonna be uh, you know, shooting the lights out or Ben's gonna go downhill and

find shooters again. So pretty exciting. I don't think we're very stoppable in the half court come playoff time right now, and and uh and then defensively, good luck finding a weakness. So pretty excited. I'm excited as well. This is the last, but certainly not least question from me. I think maybe I love it from the most l L L L

R E N Underscore Underscore thirty two totally. I think maybe the most underrated acquisition of the trade deadline is the understanding that Joel is progressing and maybe getting ready to come back. How much are you looking forward to seeing Joel come back into the lineup given the success that the group without him has had, over the last

few weeks. Yeah. Great. I sat with Joel probably like three fifteen after the mile calls and and Joel was putting his you know, rehab work in and uh, you know, he's he's so fired up to get back out there. And obviously, you know, we're we're taking him through the paces and the milestones and everything the doctors are saying. But when he gets back, I think, you know, as Wall Street bets would say, to the to the moon, rocket to the moon once Joel's back. So have you

enjoyed getting to know him? I know that you pride yourself in your relationships. What's it been like? Yeah, I mean he's just super interesting. Yeah. On the court, obviously, you know he can people can watch him, but they can also see his personality on the court. But off the court, he's super smart and uh, you know we have a similar sentiment on you know, just we like to have fun at times, and you know, do things like torture are you know, are six ers pr people

so and editors so so? Fair enough? I don't know your title. I was gonna go with your title, though, I don't know it. Is it like you know, queen Queen, Master of coin, you know, you know, just top. I think it must be now, Queen Master of Coin, top of the World, Lauren ros for sure, exactly yeah, first first of her name name. Yeah, yes, exactly yeah. I

think we need to change that. On the on the team directory on online, the title is technically digital media reporter, but I also accept team reporter post girl that has questions digital media reporter. I don't like that because, like, like, why have the medium in the title, Like, why don't you just have like you know, gets great contents or fan. On the business card, Lauren Rosen gets good content. Yeah, fan, fan,

fan engagement, you know, gene specialist, specialist. Well, let's take that's that should be our next mail bag will be let's get Lauren a new title, a really long one that that rolls up the tongue than I appreciate the endorsement. Darryl Morey, thank you so much for joining us for mail Bag Monday. We love getting to talk to you, and congrats on getting through the deadline. Thanks for having me on Go Sixers. Talk to us soon. The one and only Daryl Morey, Your questions his answers, we think

hope you enjoyed it and once again. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions on Instagram or on the podline. We'll be in touch with winners of this week's swag bags. Coming up this week on the seventy six ers podcast network, a new episode of Tom's Talks on Thursday, and then Brian Devon and I are back for our next deep dive on Friday. I'm Lauren Rosen. Thanks for listening.