Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons is one of the more talented players in the league. He’s able to affect the game in so many ways both offensively and defensively whether it’s grabbing a rebound and starting a break or if it’s locking up a guy and making his life miserable all night.
The one thing that has hindered his career so far is his lack of a jump shot. That has begun to change a bit in 2019-20 as he has made the first two 3-pointers of his career, but it still is not enough. He has only taken five 3-pointers all season and in a league that is so 3-point driven, the Sixers need him to take more shots from the perimeter.
Coach Brett Brown recently said that he’d like Simmons to take at least one 3-pointer per game, but in the five games since that comment, he has only taken one 3-pointer and it was a heave to end the quarter.
Brown said that night:
“This is what I want, I want a 3-point shot a game, minimum,” said Brown. “The pull-up 2’s, I’m fine with, whatever, he’s open, but I’m interested in the 3-point shot.”
Simmons’ two 3-pointers had come from the corners, which is hard to get to within the flow of the offense for a point guard like Simmons who excels at getting to the basket. The 3-point shot will come with time.
“I think just getting into my spots,” said the All-Star. “Being the point guard, you don’t want to come down and just jack up every time. I’m finding that rhythm and getting into situations where I feel comfortable.”
For Philadelphia to take the next step in the East, the shot will have to come for him in the playoffs. It would benefit him to begin taking shots now in the regular season in order to prepare for those moments in late April and May. [lawrence-related id=21449,21440,21429]