But I do think that impact is very often overestimated. I don’t mean to take anything away from him on that end. Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Imagesĭefensively, Simmons is truly one of the most gifted perimeter players in the NBA.
As my friend and colleague Daniel Olinger has pointed out, Simmons is one of the very best players at finding his teammates for open looks but not at actually creating them. Simmons was tied for 14th in the NBA in assists per game this regular season (6.9, compared to 11.7, 10.8, and 9.4 from league leaders Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Trae Young, respectively). To a certain extent, even Ben’s strengths have been overhyped, partly by himself and his coach, as a justification for his weaknesses. So yes, Ben Simmons is unique, but he’s unique in his limitations more than in his strengths. If anyone has, they definitely would not have had a team built around them. It is likely that none of them have been this poor at shooting and self-creation. In reality, there have been numerous players throughout NBA history who can dribble, pass, and defend about as well or better than Simmons can. We’re told by his biggest supporters, including his enabling head coach, that Ben’s uniqueness makes him a star, and we need to recognize this and appreciate him. He has not done this either.īen Simmons gets talked about as one of the most unique players in basketball.
Ben has had five NBA years to develop an arsenal of runners, floaters, and post moves. Some players just can’t shoot, and while it’s not ideal, it’s not the end of the world.
#Ben simmons stats free#
After all the summer workout videos, Simmons’ free throw form looks as dreadful as ever, probably because his shooting coach is his brother. From his comments and his actions, Ben has never seemed serious about improving his shot. Of course, it didn’t have to be this way. In a league where most players fill a role conventionally, it will always be extremely difficult to build a team that fits nicely around Simmons. But because of his lack of shooting, he is also a poor fit with most centers. He is a strange fit at center because he lacks post moves, does not protect the rim well, and cannot handle strong bigs in the post.
When people talk about position-less basketball, it’s about using all-around players in numerous roles, not poo-pooing the idea that a point guard should be able to shoot.īen Simmons is a strange fit at point guard because besides not shooting (from anywhere), he is not a high-level creator from the perimeter, and when things get tough, he has consistently become passive and avoided touching the ball rather than taking initiative and settling everyone into the offense. I’m frustrated that every season, I watch Ben Simmons come back with the same important weaknesses, and every season I’m told those weaknesses aren’t important, and every post-season I watch those weaknesses hold the Sixers back, and every off-season I’m told that the real problem was whatever issues were present elsewhere on the team.Īt a certain point, fit matters. I’m frustrated that two All-Star level players who fill this role were traded this past year, and the Sixers weren’t able to land either of them. I’m frustrated that the Sixers’ biggest need is for someone to fill the role - perimeter creator - that is valued most highly around the league. Who knows how many elite seasons he has left? Next season, he will turn 28, and at 7-foot, 280 pounds, he has a growing list of lower body injuries. I’m frustrated that the Philadelphia 76ers wasted another year of Joel Embiid’s prime.
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