Philadelphia 76ers: Debunking the albatross around Ben Simmons’ neck

Ben Simmons has fallen victim to fans’ myopia, or nearsightedness, even in the midst of another winning year where he is outperforming his Rookie of the Year first season.

Ben Simmons shoots two-point field goals with almost 100 percent frequency (99.5 percent) and owns a two-point field goal percentage of 57.0 percent. In fact, of Simmons’ 11.9 field goal attempts per game, 11.8 of them are two-point attempts and he is nailing 6.8 of them. Simmons successfully makes the third most two-point field goals per game among players to shoot two-point attempts with at least 99.0 percent frequency.

Simmons shoots more two-point field goals on a per game basis than Nikola Jokic, Blake Griffin, and Paul George but has a more efficient two-point field goal percentage. Simmons’ field goal percentage is indeed skewed because of his neglect for the three-point shot, or lack thereof, but the need to consistently attempt and make that shot is unnecessary.

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Simmons is a multi-dimensional guard that effectively engineers the Philadelphia 76ers‘ offense, which is among some of the most efficient offenses in basketball. Unfortunately for Simmons, an albatross is suspended around his neck because he possesses the capability to facilitate an offense as a 6-foot-10 point guard. Simmons leads all guards in screen assists per game (1.7) and screen assist points per game (4.2). More so, Simmons totaled 107 screen assists and 259 screen assist points, both significantly more than his competition and his totals a season prior.

Simmons averages 86.8 touches per game and of the 16 NBA players to average at least 80.0 or more touches, he has a top-10 assist to turnover ratio (2.16). Despite an advantage in points per game (17.0) for Simmons compared to Kyle Lowry (scoring 2.3 three-point attempts per game), he has more points per touch (0.196) than the Raptors’ guard (0.179). Simmons amasses the most elbow touches (3.3) and paint touches (6.5) per game among 251 active guards and posts up more players (4.6) per game than any other guard in basketball.

Not only is Simmons among the best assisting guards in basketball, averaging a seventh-best 7.9 assists per game, but also, he has the fifth most potential assists in basketball. Additionally, Simmons’ 20.0 assist points per game currently ranks fourth in the NBA.

The Sixers’ point guard is scoring 2.2 points per game via post-up field goal attempts, the most among active guards, yet manages to pass  (2.1 passes) and assist (0.5 assists) out of the post more than any other guard. Simmons is attempting, on a per game average, not one catch and shoot field goal nor attempting really any pull-up field goals (1.4 pull-up field goal attempts per game).

Instead, Simmons is scoring the 10th-most fast break points per game (3.3) among active guards with the addition of the most points in the paint per game (13.4), albeit his usage percentage is only 21.7 percent. 55.2 percent of Simmons’ two-point field goals are unassisted, more than the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant.

Finally, Simmons is hauling in an average of 2.2 offensive rebounds per game, the most of any guard, despite 57.4 percent being contested.

Regardless of Simmons’ offensive prowess in just his second professional season though, he is one of the most highly scrutinized NBA players for his inability to incorporate a jump shot. Simmons does not need to regularly fire three-point attempts nor does he need to attempt a surplus of jump shots from within the arc. Rather, he needs to slowly add the threat of a jump shot to his arsenal in order to prevent defenses from sagging far enough to create a logjam in the paint.

Simmons’ refusal to attempt three-point shots is not motivated by his inability to make them, but rather, strategy. Simmons’ size is certainly advantageous at the guard position and his relentlessness around the rim and physicality getting there is seemingly unmatched by defenders.

Not to mention, Simmons’ post-oriented half court offense has proven effective, while hurling up three-point attempts would be more of a wasted possession. For example, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker attempts the second most three-pointers with 18-15 seconds (early) on the shot clock, yet owns a 34.4 percent three-point percentage. Furthermore, the Thunders’ Russell Westbrook attempts five three-point attempts per game, converting a mere 26.4 percent.

Instead, Simmons uses his elusive passing and aggressiveness in scoring at close range to propel the Philadelphia 76ers’ offense to top-10 in point production and offensive rating.