The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons’ jumpshot is still a work in progress

By Jackson Frank

CAMDEN, NJ- SEPTEMBER 23: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball at the official opening of The Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex on September 23, 2016 in Camden, New Jersey. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ- SEPTEMBER 23: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball at the official opening of The Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex on September 23, 2016 in Camden, New Jersey. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers‘ Ben Simmons appears to have an improved jumper, but don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions as there is still work to be done.

Recently, Philadelphia 76ers rookie Ben Simmons took to Instagram and showed off his seemingly improved 3-point range.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWbYZ94A0sL/?taken-by=bensimmons

While many Sixers fans took this as a sign that Simmons will be a threat from deep next season, I’m not sold.

Think back to all the times you’ve gone to the local YMCA to play some pickup basketball. Remember that brief stretch when you couldn’t miss from behind the arc? When your buddy kept feeding you the ball as you drained 3-pointer after 3-pointer? You got hot from 3-point land and were the next coming of Ray Allen.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Then, one slips off your fingertips, clangs off the back of the rim and your mojo is gone. Suddenly, you’re no better than the other nine average Joes with which you’re sharing the court. Did those five possessions mean that you’d suddenly become a knockdown shooter? Probably not.

The same can be said about Simmons.

The differences here are that 1) Simmons’ hot streak was caught on video and 2) Sixers fans are in search of anything signaling that Simmons has become an improved shooter.

Simmons is not alone in this. Various other NBA players including Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr., C.J. McCollum and as of today, Timofey Mozgov, have been seen knocking down a string of 3-pointers. While this group could certainly experience an uptick in their 3-point percentages next season, these videos are not indicative of future success.

I will never be impressed by NBA players making X number of wide open 3-pointers. Given enough time, anyone with some semblance of a shooting stroke will catch fire from behind the arc. It’s just how basketball seems to work.

If Simmons posts another video knocking down a strain of 3-pointers  in which a 6-foot-10 defender is closing out on him, there’s something to get excited about.

Next: Ben Simmons shows off his new, improved jumper on Instagram

Simmons may very well début an improved jumper next season but hitting nine consecutive 3-pointers will not be the reason. He also may continue to struggle from behind the arc. I have faith that eventually Simmons will develop into a strong shooter; it just may not happen next season. Either way, Simmons brings a diverse collection of skills that Sixers fans should look forward to. There’s plenty to be enthusiastic about heading into next season but Simmons’ jumper just isn’t one of them.