Jordan Mailata can’t get on field, Michael Dickson’s perfect punt, how Jimmy Butler helps Ben Simmons

Take an in-depth look at the Jimmy Butler blockbuster trade and how it can help Ben Simmons and his Philadelphia 76ers. Plus, a full wrap of all the Aussies in the NFL and NBA.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata.

Philadelphia’s move to secure Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler gives the 76ers a third superstar to link up with Aussie Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

While the 29-year-old doesn’t completely fix the Sixers’ issues - those are heavily related to shooting, or lack thereof, from Simmons and former No.1 draft pick Markelle Fultz - he does significantly enhance their chances of getting out of the East.

Butler gives the Sixers a genuine wing scorer who can create his own shot.

FULTZ: STAR’S FREE THROW MELTDOWN STUNS NBA

PUNTER: PRESSURE FUELS DICKSON’S STUNNING RISE

TRADE: SIXERS ADD BUTLER TO HELP SIMMONS

EAGLES: MAILATA HAPPY TO BIDE HIS TIME IN NFL

The former Chicago Bull is one of the best two-way players in the game, a dogged man-marker who beefs up a defence that sports one of the toughest rim protectors in Embiid and the versatile Simmons whose athleticism, length and anticipation puts him among the best on the perimeter.

So how does Ben benefit?

Apart from the aforementioned, Butler gives Simmons the ‘get out of jail free’ card that he’s never had.

Ben Simmons drives into Memphis Grizzlies guard Garrett Temple.

By that, we mean in late shot clock situations, Butler has the capability of making tough, pressure shots from anywhere on the floor. He’s a guy you can give the ball and say “get us a bucket” during scoring slumps or in broken play.

“It’s not going to affect my game. I know how to play,” Simmons said when quizzed on the Sixers’ new acquisition.

“I know what I’m good at. I know what I can do on the floor.

“Him coming in helps us, and having another scorer on the floor, and another vet who will play the game the right way.”

“Between me, (Joel Embiid) and Jimmy, we all have that similar mindset of we hate losing, that pisses us off and we want to win,“ Simmons said.

”A guy like him who can come in, score the ball, veteran leadership, experience - he’s going to fit in here.”

Butler - a steal for the Bulls at pick No.30 in the 2011 draft - definitely plays hard, having made the NBA playoffs in every season but one since being drafted, leading the Timberwolves to the post-season for the first time in 14 years, last campaign.

Provided the Sixers can mesh this is turning into the team that could live up to the pre-season predictions of pushing the likes of Boston and Toronto for that top seed in the East - no, we’re not discounting Milwaukee, either.

Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz.

Philly coach Brett Brown was keeping his game face on about what the line-up might look like after Philly beat Miami 124-114, but there are a number of options that could role out against the Magic on Thursday, when Butler is expected to be in a Sixers uniform for the first time.

The Sixers gave up veteran shooters Robert Covington and Dario Saric in the trade.

Butler naturally slots in at small forward - in old terms - but any team that has a seven-foot point guard isn’t exactly traditional, so they can throw a number of looks at teams.

There have been calls throughout the season for marksman JJ Redick - who started in the absence of Butler against the Heat - to be inserted into the starting line-up at the expense of Fultz, but his scoring punch off the bench is now even more important.

Wilson Chandler is a wily, versatile veteran who doesn’t need the ball to be effective and looks likely to start next to Embiid at the four.

So what do the Sixers need now?

Shooting, shooting and more shooting… Did we mention shooting?

This is a shooters’ league now and it’s likely the Sixers aren’t finished just yet.

The Great White GOAT Brian Scalabrine - mates with Cleveland shooter Kyle Korver - let slip on the Celtics v Blazers coverage that Philly was in the process of acquiring the career 43 per cent three-point shooter.

The Sixers knew they weren’t equipped to be up there with the very best. The punt on Butler was necessary. Will it pay off? We’re about to find out.

🚨 @CreekMitchell AND-1 FOR THE @LongIslandNets LEAD!

Catch the finish on ESPN+: https://t.co/jutzuWrOro pic.twitter.com/wgX0Ez9zSP

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) November 9, 2018

GIVE MITCH CREEK A HAND

The former Adelaide NBL star - whose blood sweat and tears over nine seasons with the club was rewarded with the club taking him to court over his bid to break his contract and play in the NBA - had a stunning game for Brooklyn’s G-League affiliate Long Island.

Creek produced the impressive stat line of 17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, but it was his go-ahead and-1 that had people talking in the 128-127 win.

Through four games, the versatile Creek is averaging 13 points, nearly nine rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals, while shooting the ball at 53 per cent from the field.

Get that man on the Nets’ roster… he’s better than Jared Dudley.

SIMMONS STARS, AUSSIES STRUGGLE FOR GAME TIME

Apart from getting a new teammate, it’s been a big week on the floor for our boy Ben.

After ripping the Hornets for 22 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, Simmons had 18-14-5 against Memphis but was a little quieter, but very efficient in the win over Miami with 13-7-7.

Simmons now sports season averages of 15 points, 9.6 rebounds and a Philly-leading 7.8 assists.

His Aussie running mate, rookie Jonah Bolden, has had run in two of the past three, producing five points and four boards in the win over Charlotte and then pilfering the Grizzlies for three steals with his telescopic arms.

Jonah Bolden battles Toronto Raptors CJ Miles Norman Powell.

The departures of Covington and Saric will hopefully mean more minutes for the son of NBL legend Bruce Bolden.

Meanwhile, after going through a slump of sorts - his three point percentage dropped below 40 per cent for the first time in recent memory - Joe Ingles exploded against compatriot Aron Baynes and the Celtics for a career-high 27 points.

Twenty of those came in a stunning first half that he closed with three of the Jazz’s four treys on the way to a 123-115 win.

He backed that up against the Grizzlies with another 19 points to go with six rebounds and five assists as the Jazz extended their winning streak to three with a 96-88 result.

He’s now averaging 13.8 points, 4.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds on the season, to go with 32 three-pointers in 12 games.

After failing to score in just three minutes against the Celtics, Dante Exum played 21 minutes against Memphis, producing nine points. He’s averaging nearly eight a game.

After a trio of monster performances, capped off by a season-high 20 in a loss to Miami, San Antonio’s Patty Mills was quiet against the Houston Rockets producing just five points and six rebounds in 96-89 win. His scoring average has ticked over 10 per game, to go with what would be a career-high 3.5 boards.

There is still no love for the Aussies in Milwaukee, with both Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova playing in only one game each in the past four.

Dallas rookie Ryan Broekhoff has played exactly one minute in the past week of basketball.

Matthew Dellavedova has been stuck on the bench in Milwaukee.

MAILATA DENIED DEBUT, DICKSON’S PERFECT PUNT

Jordan Mailata has been given the cold shoulder by Philadelphia Eagles coaches after missing out on an NFL debut on Monday (AEDT).

The former NRL player was activated and dressed for the Eagles’ Sunday Night Football clash against Dallas but was disappointingly left on the sidelines for the entire match.

Eagles fans were stunned by head coach Doug Pederson’s decision not to use the Aussie giant despite his offensive line being decimated by injuries.

There had been talk last week that the 203cm, 157kg Mailata could even be used as a running back in certain circumstances but the idea failed to materialise as the reigning SuperBowl champions were stunned at home by the Cowboys 27-20.

Mailata has said he’s content to bide his time at the Eagles but would have been left confused by his lack of game-time.

It’s the second time Mailata has been active for a game but left unused after also watching the Eagles’ clash against Carolina from the sidelines.

Jordan Mailata in action for Philadelphia Eagles during the pre-season.

“That was an experience, but it was really stressful,” he said after the Week 6 match.

“Getting dressed on matchday, your whole mentality changes. It’s so much different.

“You know that at any time you could be put in a game. I was so nervous. You just don’t know when they will need you.”

Mailata’s next opportunity to make his official debut will come next Sunday (US time) when Philadelphia travel to New Orleans for a date with Drew Brees and the red-hot Saints.

Give it to the Mailata. #Eagles

— Dave Spielman (@PuckheadDad) November 12, 2018

Send in Jordan Mailata to pound it in

— jklmNATop (@jklmNATop) November 12, 2018

Give me Jordan Mailata running over Vander Esch

— Gene Werley III (@BasedGene) November 12, 2018

Eagles teammate and fellow Australian Cam Johnston also saw barely any game time against the Cowboys.

Coming into the week the No.1 punter in the NFL, Johnston had just two punts, averaging 44 yards, but importantly both trapped Dallas back inside its own 20-yard line.

Johnston is still owns the best average in the league with 49.6 yards per punt while a big day for Michael Dickson saw the Seattle Seahawks punter move up to third.

Dickson had three punts and averaged an impressive 55 yards in the Seahawks nail-biting loss to Los Angeles Rams.

How good's this!
Cowboys star running back Zek Elliott gives college teammate, Aussie Cam Johnston a hug after yesterday's game. #DALvsPHI pic.twitter.com/sxGFobcWMe

— Ben Higgins (@ben_higgins84) November 12, 2018

This dude from Australia just slaughters footballs #ForTheBrand pic.twitter.com/m6e6npNaz7

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 11, 2018

The Sydneysider launched an incredible 68-yard punt to completely flip the field before dropping a “perfect punt” which landed on the Ram’ 3-yard line and spun back to astonish NFL pundit and former punter Pat McAfee.

“It’s unbelievable, he’s changing the game,” the Indiannapolis Colts great said on Twitter.

“This Michael Dickson guy just slaughters pigskins.

“This ball, with pressure in his face, goes 68 f---ing yards.”

Elsewhere, Lachie Edwards continued his impressive season despite playing for the 3-7 New York Jets.

The Melbourne punter averaged 44 yards on seven punts with a longest kick of 60 yards as the Jets fell to Buffalo Bills.

While on Friday morning (AEDT), Jordan Berry averaged 40 yards on two punts as his Pittsburgh Steelers steamrolled Carolina Panthers.

Adam Gotsis and his Denver Broncos were on the bye.