Philadelphia 76ers: It’s too early to worry about Ben Simmons

To fans of the Philadelphia 76ers, I humbly request that you chill.

In the least shocking development of the 21st century, Ben Simmons is a hesitant shooter with no real desire to launch 3s. He posted workout videos over the summer — yes, I know, those are normally definitive proof of improvement — but for now, his jumper remains a no-show.

Some fans are panicking. How can Simmons, now entering his third season, carry the Philadelphia 76ers to a title without expanding his game? Doesn’t he need a jumper? The answer isn’t so black and white. There’s a lot of grey area when it comes to The Peacemaker.

When answering the question in broad strokes, yes. Simmons needs a jumper. He needs it in the sense that Philadelphia will not fully realize its ceiling without Simmons hitting a stray corner 3 every now and then. If Simmons can come close to spacing the floor, it makes life easier for Joel Embiid, which in turn makes life easier for everyone else.

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On the flip side, no defense will religiously cover Simmons on the 3-point line. He’s not J.J. Redick, he’s not Tobias Harris, and he’s not even Marcus Smart. Unless Simmons completes a total 180 and stumbles upon the Fountain of Eternal Outside Shooting, he will never command full respect as a shooter.

Simmons hitting corner 3s will help, but it won’t prevent defenses from sagging off and recognizing a posted-up Embiid as the more imminent threat. The better argument is whether or not Embiid and Simmons can co-exist long term.

The answer is yes, without much hesitation. So even that’s a flimsy debate. The Sixers can in fact win if Simmons doesn’t shoot. Some predicted the Sixers as 2020 champions, and I’d venture to guess those predictions didn’t revolve around Simmons becoming a 3-point maestro.

Last season, despite a strong narrative stating otherwise, Simmons made significant leaps. He made leaps on defense, where his five-position versatility is invaluable. He also made leaps as a finisher, a decision-maker, and in the slightest sense, a free-throw shooter.

There is room for Simmons to grow beyond his 3-point stroke. His touch around the rim, for example, looked vastly better in the season’s first few games. He has since dialed it back, but a couple-game slump doesn’t negate a potentially major improvement.

If Simmons can attack the rim, embrace contact, and add more diversity as a finisher, he entrenches himself in the top-20 conversation. He’s already there, in my book. He’s a unique talent, and sometimes we struggle to wrap our heads around players who don’t fit preconceived notions of stardom.

Philadelphia’s championship aspirations are built on defense. The starting five has no wingspan shorter than 6-foot-10. Sure, Simmons’ inability to create in the halfcourt is a concern late in games, but Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Josh Richardson are there to pick up the slack.

As Simmons continues to evolve, a 3-point shot is inevitable. He’s working on it, obviously. It might not come this season, it might not come next season, but it’s coming. The Sixers committed to a five-year extension because Simmons is worth a five-year extension. Not because he’s about to drain 3s when the calendar flips to 2020.

So, things like this are … asinine.

Simmons was good in the 2019 playoffs. He is an elite defender when engaged, and he’s a generational playmaking talent who spearheads a dangerous transition attack in Philadelphia. In history, few championship teams have been composed of perfectly complementary stars. The Sixers take it to the extreme, yes, but there’s more than enough talent to overcome the warts.

Benjamin David Simmons is 23 years old. He’s 6-foot-10, a one-percent athlete, and he averages 7.9 assists per game for his career. The man is special. No, the shooting isn’t a non-issue, but it’s also not crippling. It’s not the main obstacle between Philadelphia and a title.

It’s appropriate to emphasize patience, even concern, but those sensations should be viewed through a particular lens. The Sixers are contenders, and Simmons is a top-20 player. It’s not an aimless waiting game. He’s already elite. A jumper is the metaphorical icing on top, not the whole cake.