The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sixers going all-in on young core

By Ben Wieland

CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for the camera during the Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for the camera during the Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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SANTA MONICA, CA – JUNE 25: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media during a press conference after winning Rookie of the Year the NBA Awards Show on June 25, 2018 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA – JUNE 25: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media during a press conference after winning Rookie of the Year the NBA Awards Show on June 25, 2018 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ben Simmons

Imagine traveling back in time to 2013 and telling the first Philly sports fan you see that the Sixers will have an All-Star Game starter in 2018, and he won’t even be the player with the most potential on the roster. That would be the second-craziest thing to happen to Philly sports since then (thanks, Howie!)

No, the award for “Most Potential” goes to one Ben Simmons, thank you very much. Hyper-athletic speedsters who can blow by guards and dunk on forwards are rare: see Dwyane Wade. Massive rim protectors who dominate on both ends of the floor are rarer still: see David Robinson. But a player taller than Draymond Green who handles like Kyrie Irving — well, that’s never been seen before.

Right now, you could say that Ben Simmons is the best 6-foot-10 ball handler in NBA history. Or that he’s the best 6-foot-10 passer in NBA history. And you’d be right. (Before you ask, Magic wasn’t 6-foot-10.) If Simmons averaged his 15/8/8 statline from his ROTY campaign for a full career, he’d be a Hall of Famer.

But that Hall of Fame statline isn’t going to cut it for the Aussie wonder, and he knows it. Right now, there is only one flaw in Ben Simmons’ game, as I’m sure everyone who hasn’t been living under a rock knows. His shot. Or, rather, a lack of it.

It’s not just that Simmons can’t shoot — it’s that he won’t. Ben doesn’t even pull the trigger on open looks from more than 12 feet away from the hoop. His finishing, passing, defending, dribbling, is all elite already. But without a shot, Simmons will be exposed by defensive gameplans in the playoffs. See: the Celtics series.

But if Ben develops a jumper, it’s game over.

Improvements Needed:

  • Ability to shoot from more than twelve feet out
  • Ability to shoot off the dribble
  • Ability to shoot free throws
  • Ability to shoot threes (please, God.)