Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons can do it all. He is one of the best all-around players in the game as he is able to lock up some of the best players in the game on the defensive end and he is also able to attack the basket and dazzle with his passing ability.
However, there is always concern about his jump shot. He has only made two 3-pointers in his career and it is tough for him to even attempt a shot from outside the paint. Some have tried to figure out why he won’t shoot as Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell offered his own reasons why Simmons won’t shoot in the past.
The hope is that under new coach Doc Rivers, Simmons will unlock that part of his game that former coach Brett Brown was unable to. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith says that if Rivers can do so, then Simmons can be the next LeBron James.
Smith on Sportscenter said:
You’ve got to make sure Ben Simmons recognizes, he is a threat from the perimeter. He needs to attempt jump shots. It’s very simple. If Ben Simmons ever develops, any kind of jump shot whatsoever, he is LeBron James 2.0, or part two, whatever way you want to put it. He’s the Second Coming. He is that lethal, if you look at his all around skill set, along with his size being 6-foot-9/6-foot-10 with his ball handling and passing ability and basketball IQ, and defensive prowess. If Ben Simmons develops a jump shot. he will be the second coming up LeBron James. If he does not, he’ll be Ben Simmons.
The comparisons to James are easy to see. They are both big-bodied players who have supreme athleticism and they are also both extremely smart and they can be almost unstoppable in the open floor. James did not really develop a jump shot until about his eighth season in the league with the Miami Heat so there is still time for Simmons, but the challenge for Rivers will be to get him to at least beginning to attempt them. [lawrence-related id=38101,38104,38098]