It often feels like inexorable forces are driving the Philadelphia 76ers toward disharmony -- and eventually to the breakup of their star core.
Jimmy Butler, the newest star, popped off about the team's idiosyncratic offense. The Sixers don't run many pick-and-rolls because their best ball handler, Ben Simmons, practically refuses to shoot outside the restricted area. Joel Embiid conceives of the restricted area as his territory; he beat Butler to moaning about his place in Philly's new three-star ecosystem.
Every time the Sixers lose a high-profile game -- especially to Boston -- there are calls across the media for them to trade Simmons.