This is the continuation of a new series by Sixers Wire to pass the time for everybody for the All-Star break. We’re going to take a look back at the 3 goals series from the offseason and see how each player has done in achieving those goals as well as give them a rating on how their season has gone. The rating will be based on a scale of 10 with 10 being how their season has gone based on the goals.
We’re now down to the franchise cornerstones as this edition focuses on Ben Simmons. He is the most curious player in the NBA as he can do so many great things on the floor, but his refusal to shoot a jump shot has confused so many people over his first 2+ seasons in the league. That does not mean he has not improved this season as he has become much more aggressive and his defense has been off the charts.
We now review Simmons’ season based on the 3 goals we gave him in the summer:
Coming back with a jump shot
This is an area where, with all due respect to the other elite parts of his game, he has failed. He has made two 3-pointers finally, but he still needs to show off something more over the final 27 games and heading into the playoffs. there will come a point in the playoffs where teams won’t respect his perimeter game and it will become an eyesore on the team’s offense.
To his credit, he is understanding different ways to space the floor without the benefit of a jumper. That means that other players have had to make adjustments, but it allows Simmons to be a roller in a pick-and-roll situation and they have continued to try and work out the kinks on this roster.
Improving at the foul line
Simmons has made subtle improvements at the line. He is shooting 62.8% from the line after shooting 60% in 2018-19 and 56% as a rookie in 2017-18. He has improved that number up to 71% from the line over the final 12 games heading into the All-Star break. If Simmons can continue to take some steps forward in that area, it unlocks another part of his game.
Getting aggressive
This goes hand in hand with improving at the line. Over the final 12 games heading into the break, Simmons was getting to the foul line at a rate of 8.3 per game. That is huge for a guy who wants to play closer to the rim. If he’s going to play a certain way, he’s going to need to continue to get to the line more. An aggressive Ben Simmons is the best Ben Simmons and he’s a guy that is so dynamic that other teams have trouble trying to stop him.
He won’t ever be LeBron James where he puts up high scoring numbers on a nightly basis, but he will give this team elite defense and he’s terrific in all areas of the game. He already is one of the top 20 players in the game, he just needs to continue on this path of improvement. [lawrence-related id=25998,26006,25988]