While these numbers are discouraging, it is unfair to say that Simmons has shown no growth since he has come to the NBA. First off, Ben has drastically improved as a defender. What was once one of his biggest criticisms has turned into the most consistent part of his game. He also has developed greatly as a passer and his feel for running an NBA offense has drastically improved. Yet with guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Pascal Siakam showing such growth in their all-around game in a similar time-frame, it is frustrating to not see Simmons having the same level of growth.
What happens next?
The blame has often been placed on Brett Brown for not forcing him to shoot. Brown went to the media talking about how he wanted Simmons to shoot “a three-point shot a game” at the beginning of the season. He also reportedly threatened to bench Simmons if he did not begin shooting jumpers (which he did not). Brett Brown has taken a lot of bullets for a lot of people in the Sixers organization and Simmons makes this list as well. At another point this year, Brown cut off a question asked to Simmons about his lack of 3’s or jump-shot attempts, to take ownership of it himself claiming it was his fault for it not being in the offense. While Brown evidently needed to be firmer with him, it also shows how difficult it is to force Ben to shoot.
Simmons already does so much on the basketball court that would be lost if he was not on the 76ers. This was clearly evident in the Celtics series as the team had no answer to guard Jayson Tatum and the overall pace was noticeably slower. Despite the disappointing season, it is not the time to break up Embiid and Simmons. Replacing the supporting cast around them (as well as hiring a coach) should be the entire focus of Elton Brand at the moment. However if the Sixers are to ever rise to the championship-caliber team that they hope to, Simmons must start shooting the ball.
Having the threat of an outside shot will open up Ben’s entire game. 2 years ago Ben was held to one-point in a playoff game against the Celtics largely due to a game plan which blocked off the paint. It should be absolutely insulting as an NBA player if your opponent refuses to step out of the paint when you have the ball on the perimeter. If Simmons begins to shoot the ball on a regular basis it will draw the defender out and open up the paint for both himself and Joel Embiid. This also would go a large way in changing the narrative that Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons cannot play together.
Ultimately it will all come down to Ben. No one can force him to shoot the ball except for Ben Simmons himself. The city and the team have shown full faith in him since he was given a Sixers uniform, as indicated by the 5-year $170 million extension that was given last year. This summer Ben needs to get healthy and then in the gym and shoot the ball. No matter how tempting it will be to go hang out with Kendall Jenner or compete with the recent E-sports team he became a part of, there are no longer any excuses for this glaring hole in his game. The Superstar comparisons to guys like Giannis and LeBron are noticeable on the court at times, yet where the difference seems to be is in the dedication to improving. Simmons has gone as far as his talent can carry him so far, now it is up to him to add layers to his game so he can enter that MVP conversation himself.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
