How Sixers can reach the NBA Finals: Ben Simmons improves his scoring
The Ben Simmons saga during the offseason is quite the pickle that the Sixers are in. The question if Ben Simmons is staying or being traded doesn’t seem like it is going to be answered soon. If he stays, he will remain an important piece of the Sixers. However, there is one aspect of his game that he must improve on.
Ben Simmons’ offense, specifically his scoring, has been stagnant over the last few seasons. His scoring averages for for each year of his career are 15.8, 16.9, 16.4, and then regressed this past season to 14.3. Throughout the season, fans have discussed just how much better Ben Simmons has actually gotten since his rookie season. His scoring average has regressed but his rebounding and assists have remained consistent.
On the other side on the ball, Ben Simmons has developed into one of the NBA’s best defensive players. Last season, Ben Simmons was an absolute force on the defensive end of the ball, finishing as a finalist for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. The year prior, he led the league in steals.
Ben Simmons’ shortcomings on offense are holding him back from being the player that many fans think he can be. If Ben were to become a 20-25 PPG scorer, it would likely put the Sixers over the top to win the NBA title. Not to mention it would also make Simmons a potential MVP candidate.