Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons has been one of the top players in the NBA this season as he has used his 6-foot-10 frame to be able to get to the basket and finish in traffic. He then suffered a back injury on February 22 against the Milwaukee Bucks and some wondered if he would even be the same player when he returned.
On Thursday, Simmons put all of those worries to bed. He was seen working out in Los Angeles and clearly, that was beneficial for him.
“I’m feeling good. I put on a lot more muscle,” he said. “I’m just ready to go.”
Obviously, Simmons should probably focus on a jump shot, but at the end of the day, his explosiveness and his ability to get to the basket is what sets him apart from the rest of the crowd. There are not a lot of guys at 6-foot-10 who can do what he does. That muscle he put on is going to be huge for him.
“Overall, just more strength,” he explained. “It’s hard to keep that size on during the season so this was kind of like a resetting point. I was able to get pilates in almost every day, lifting weights and getting my body back to 100% so it’s just been trying to go overboard with that and being prepared to go down there (Orlando) and play.”
Now, what about when he is driving the lane to the basket? How is all of this going to help him?
“More explosive definitely, but just more control,” the All-Star finished with. “I feel a lot more control when I’m out there on the floor and know what I’m capable of with my body and it feels very good and overall I feel like I’m back to 100%.”
If this is going to make Simmons–who was already a good finisher around the rim–even better going towards the basket, then the league should be put on notice. The third-year guard from Australia is coming. [lawrence-related id=33930,33921,33912]