The big storyline surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers has always been Ben Simmons and his lack of a jump shot. In the 2018 and the 2019 playoffs, the Sixers fell in the semifinals due to teams walling off Simmons’ path to the basket and forcing him to take jump shots to where he was not able to make a big impact.
Simmons has made two three-pointers so far in 2019-20, a big development on his part, but he still is reluctant to take any from the perimeter this season even after coach Brett Brown mentioned that he would like him to take a 3-pointer a game. He gave a bit of an explanation on Sunday in Brooklyn, but his perimeter game must be grown for them to succeed in the playoffs.
“I spend so much with Ben talking about spacing,” said Brown. “This is an ongoing discussion that we have been having and it’s not as clear or as simple when you digest the tape, you see what he sees. There are times when he just eats space and doesn’t accept space, he uses the space to play downhill and the bottom line is, we need to grow his perimeter game.”
It’s no secret that Simmons’ strength is attacking the rim. He averages 5.6 shot attempts per game at the rim and he averages 3.6 attempts per game from 3-10 feet out. That will work in the regular season, but when the postseason rolls around and their level of competition rises, he needs to understand that he needs to take these jumpers to spread the floor.
“It starts with space, out of a post, out of a pick-and-roll, not when he’s in the post, not when he’s in the pick-and-roll, when he’s out of the action,” Brown added. “Those are the areas that we have been talking a little bit about and he’s been great. He sees it and he shares things with me too that I give him credit for and so this is a partnership. I am here to help him help us, help himself and that I’ll continue to try to do.”
The good news is, the Sixers have a great record overall sitting at 20-8 as the Christmas mark of the season approaches rapidly. The team has also earned some statement victories such as wins over the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors and they have a matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas at home despite Simmons’ reluctance to take jumpers.
This is something that will have to change when the playoffs begin. This team has high championship aspirations and to get to that point, a lot of it will come down to Simmons and his development in that area. [lawrence-related id=21509,21501,21485]