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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers flexes while the fans react to a dunk by Joel Embiid in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Getty
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers flexes while the fans react to a dunk by Joel Embiid in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Ben Simmons is unlike any other player in the NBA today. A 6’10 physical specimen that has the ball-handling and passing skills of an elite point guard is not a common sight. Simmons is also a very talented defender, being able to guard all five positions on the court. This is why the Philadelphia 76ers are planning on deploying Simmons as a power forward in the Orlando bubble.
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Simmons is arguably one of the worst three-point shooters in the league. He didn’t make a three-point shot until this season and is very unwilling to even attempt shots. His lack of floor-spacing abilities has hamstrung the 76ers, who are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the entire league. However, Simmons says that this will change soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-I3fl5rXo0]
Simmons had a conversation with Detroit Pistons player Tony Snell after a workout where he said he will be shooting threes in Orlando. After Simmons hit some shots on the court, Snell spoke to him on the sidelines.
“Snell: You should be shooting way more. Your shot looks good.
Simmons: Orlando.
Snell: Orlando? I’ll be watching.
Simmons: I’m coming for it.”
Ben Simmons Shooting Struggles
Simmons has historically struggled to shoot. However, it has never been because of his shot. Simmons has an unreliable jumper but is also unwilling to attempt threes. His unwillingness to shoot threes is mirrored by old-school centers. Modern-day centers like Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, and his teammate Joel Embiid are all better shooters than Simmons. Ben has attempted just 23 threes in his career, most of them coming at the end of the shot clock.
The 76ers were really constrainted last playoffs due to Simmons’s inability to spread the floor. This caused issues with Embiid, as both were sharing the post while Jimmy Butler started handling the ball more. Philly’s floor-spacing has gotten worse with the departures of Butler and veteran J.J. Redick. They were replaced by Al Horford and Josh Richardson, neither player really known to have a shooting stroke.
Simmons had teased becoming a better shooter in the pre-season when he hit his first three-pointer in a friendly in China. However, that hasn’t translated to this season, frustrating Philly fans.
Let’s see how much of Ben Simmons will be help for 76ers from the perimeter, once the season begins in Orlando.
