Ben Simmons
Jack Duffy
Ben Simmons is already a potential All-Star in just his second NBA season at 22-years-old. The crazy thing is that he is playing at an All-Star level without a jump shot. Simmons’ 2019 New Years resolution is improving his confidence, specifically with his jumper.
We have all seen how opponents have guarded Ben Simmons when he has the ball on the perimeter. They stand 10 feet away sometimes due to the fact that Simmons won’t shoot the ball. This kills spacing on the floor for his team and Simmons’ ability to score and make plays shrink incredibly.
Anyone that has been to a 76ers game has seen Ben Simmons shoot three-pointers and deep twos in warmups. Heck, when I was their a few weeks back, he made five step-back threes in a row.
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The ball does not look that bad coming out of his hands and he makes standing threes consistently during shootaround. It’s baffling to see him knock them down before games and when it comes game time he does not even think about attempting anything outside of 15 feet.
If Ben Simmons at least just attempted jump shots in games, it would expand his game tremendously. If he started attempted them, without worrying about his percentages, defenders would be forced to come out and guard him on the perimeter.
Simmons could then use his speed and size to blow by defenders and score easier. Having multiple ways to score leaves defenders guessing which way you will go and when you will shoot instead of them sitting back knowing you will only drive.
He attempting these shots would help his teammates out as well. Defenders coming out to guard Simmons increases floor spacing allowing Joel Embiid, J.J. Redick and Jimmy Butler more space to operate, create their own shot and move without the ball. Simmons has the ability to completely change the teams’ offense and the ways opponents defend by just attempting jump shots.
In 2019, if Simmons gets the confidence to consistently attempt jump shots from mid-range and from three, then it will completely take his game and his team to the next level. The 76ers and Simmons have aspirations of making a deep playoff run in hopes of making it to the NBA Finals and he has a lot to do with his team’s performance, especially his jump shot.
That finishes up this roundtable of New Year’s resolutions. Do you agree? Comment a New Year’s resolution for a player, coach or GM that wasn’t mentioned in the article. From all of us at The Sixer Sense, Happy New Year!