Ben Simmons: A workable jump shot
Alright, yes, this is the easy answer. There are still ways Ben Simmons can improve without a jumper, something we’ve seen in recent weeks with his new emphasis on post-up scoring. Adding a legitimate jumper to Simmons’ arsenal would place him in “NBA’s best player” territory, though.
At 6-foot-10, Simmons already has elite physical tools and basketball intelligence. He can defend 1-5, allowing him to anchor small-ball lineups when needed. His passing is elite, as is his ability to push the tempo and manage pace, using his quickness to wreak havoc in transition.
Simmons needs better touch, but he’s becoming an excellent scorer around the rim. He’s just missing the jumper — that next step, which forces defenses to respect him out to the three-point line, in turn opening up new driving lanes and making his live dribble even more dangerous.