Ben Simmons was supposed to be the next LeBron James, or at least the next Magic Johnson.
Yet, as his fourth season drew to a close after a disappointing playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, I can’t help but feel that those high hopes everyone once had for the Australian are now nothing more than a pipe dream.
I will give credit where it is due. Simmons has become one of the best defenders in the league and having the ability to defend all five positions on the court is not something to blink at.
However, as the saying goes, great defence will always be beaten by greater offence, and in a playoff setting where the ends of close games tend to be isolation heavy, there is only so much Simmons can do.
The All Star point guard has certainty regressed on the offensive end from his rookie year. In fact, he is a zero on offence and he is a liability due to his atrocious free-throw shooting.
Because of this, Simmons isn’t a superstar. There isn’t anything wrong with that, however the fact that he has shown little to no improvement on the offensive end is concerning and quite frankly a letdown.
(Rob Carr/Getty Images)
For comparison, you only need to look at the two players Simmons beat out for the 2018 rookie of the year award in Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell.
Tatum has already been to two conference finals and has shown that he can score in a variety of ways as well as being clutch down the stretch.
Mitchell, on the other hand, hasn’t had the same level of success in the post season, yet it’s clear that he is only getting better and his explosiveness around the court, paired with his elite scoring ability, has him being compared to NBA legend Dwyane Wade.
Both Tatum and Mitchell will be the front men for their respective teams for the next decade assuming they stay on their respective teams. Simmons, on the other hand, finds himself in trade rumours on a daily basis and while it’s clear he doesn’t fit with the 76ers’ roster, it’s time to start questioning if he can ever meet the expectations we all had of him.
Simmons’ most recent playoff series against the Hawks illustrated just how bad things have got for the point guard as Atlanta were deliberately sending him to the free throw line as it was an easier way to save points and time opposed to just playing defence.
Simmons was so bad from the line he set the record for the lowest free-throw percentage in the playoffs. Because of this, in the last two minutes of each quarter, Simmons couldn’t touch the ball as he would have been fouled and sent to the line.
Also, due to the fact that Simmons can’t or won’t shoot from outside the paint, it effectively meant that the 76ers were playing four on five on the offence at the end of games, leading to the Sixers pulling him from the game and sitting him on the bench.
Because of his inability to knock down free throws, Simmons’ confidence was clearly at an all-time low, so much so that he no longer attacked the rim let alone take a shot as he didn’t want to be taking free throws.
In the seven games this series, he took a total of three shots in fourth quarters and more often than not was left standing in the dunker’s spot, having little to no impact on the game.
In all of the close games, Simmons could do nothing but watch on. The reality was he was actually helping his team more by being on the bench then the court.
After Game 7, 76ers coach Doc Rivers simply said that he didn’t know the answer when asked if Simmons could be the point guard for a championship team.
Meanwhile, Simmons’ teammate Joel Embiid made it pretty clear that he thought Simmons was at fault for the loss.
After four seasons together, it’s clear that the 76ers won’t win with Simmons and after being publicly criticised by his MVP-calibre teammate, it seems that the Australian will be out the door, but where to?
It’s crazy to think that it was only in January that the 76ers could have had James Harden for Simmons and a few other assets. Now getting a player at that level may prove to be impossible, especially after all of his flaws have been laid bare in the playoffs.
Regardless, the Sixers will have to trade the Aussie as they cannot afford to waste Embiid’s prime, particularly when you consider the uncertainty around the centre’s health.
Hopefully one day Simmons can unlock his full potential and live up to the hype, however for four years we have been told that he’ll improve and get better and he simply hasn’t.
And until he does, all I can hope for is that the Australian sports media can stop trying to tell us he’s a superstar and give us all a dose of reality: that he is nothing more than a good defender and passer.
Aiza Guerrero
Guest
Great read. I think they should remove that superstar and leader hype on his name, a leader and a superstar in the court can make 'scores' when needed. He surely has talent, but not to the point that he will be branded as 'superstar' or the 'next big thing'. I think he is more of a role player, some of the great ones that specializes in defence and rebounding is Rodman, but Rodman has the guts to take the shot, may not be the best in free throws but he was never the all-time low in that field. I guess once his hype is leveled down, the pressure will be lesser, and he can improve again. At this rate, if no one wants him in NBA, maybe he can go to another league :laughing: NBL? Where everyone thinks he is a star?
Cone of Silence
Roar Rookie
“Liz Cambage looks a bit like Simmons” ??? Hope you’re not doing a job that relies on good eyesight ????????????
Cone of Silence
Roar Rookie
Great article; slamming Simmons is not going to help him, but he is at the cross roads, and skipping the olympics is not going to endear him to the Aussie public. However, heading to the Olympics low on confidence doesn’t help either the Boomers cause or his own welfare.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Will be interesting to see what happens
1dog
Roar Rookie
You could be on to something here Hub :thumbup:
Lara
Guest
How can you play basketball n you can not shoot….I mean actually shoot. I am surprised Simmons has got away with this as long as he has. The man is a liability to his team n in the NBA is just doesn’t cut it. Simmons coach needs to decide whether he is a guard or a power forward. If it is the later, learn to shoot from 15 ft. If , he is a genuine guard , go visit a GSW point guard and learn to shoot from range….and I can’t see it, because it is not natural to him…..man , his previous coaches really let him down, but he should have known better.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I think Simmons being a first ball handler but then giving it up when the fast break is not on then learning to move off the ball like a 4 is the best for him. Warriors or Portland I guess to give him that option.
1dog
Roar Rookie
Sidetracking but still nba related. Last to touch the ball is the opposition’s ball. Full stop…
astro
Roar Rookie
In Feb this year he went for 42 pts, 9 Reb, 12 Ast, 12/13 FT (92.3%!) 1 Stl % 1 BLK, in a game against Gobert and the Jazz. And he didnt take a shot from anywhere except more or less, under the basket. That day, Philly was without Embiid and Simmons played center. I truly believe this is the blueprint for his success...Simmons at the 5, surrounded by shooters and ball players. As you say, a Warriors trade is unlikely, but I'm also not sure it works for Simmons. He needs to operate around the basket, but the Warriors like playing with space and movement. So, I like a move to Portland for McCollum. The trade makes sense for both teams, and would give Portland a new look, with Simmons at the 5. Lillard, Powell, Covington, Collins and Simmons would be great to see...And if they want to go a step further, move Nurkic for more depth. For the record, I dont think this happens, but it's interesting to think about...
Bell31
Roar Rookie
Interesting take - Stephen A on First Take has similar views - just said that there are perceptions at the Philly that he's not all that committed to improving his game. I really don't know what to make of Ben at this stage --- probably a bit harsh for the author to describe him as 'just' a good defender and passer - he is a lot better than that, but his shooting, esp FTs, are so poor. I don't mind Kendrick Perkins' take, which is that he really should be played as a power forward (esp in today's game), rather than as a pseudo-point guard - I know it's only one game, but that 40 points he put up against Gobert (Jazz) at centre was incredible. Clearly, Embiid and Simmons don't fit on the same team and I'd like to see Simmons in a different environment, playing much closer to the basket.
Damo
Guest
I think the elephant in the is the off court issues. Legal issues with family, other family controlling his life, chasing Kardashians. He needs a completely new environment, not just team.
Nathan
Guest
With green and looney GSW already have 2 players on the court unwilling to shoot. Can’t afford to carry a third player
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah,I thought warriors also with Thompson and Curry,would help them on the defensive side and learn from the best but hard to see how a deal gets done
Rellum
Roar Guru
Who would take him now, given his contract and how much they would need to pay? He needs to find a place where he can learn to shoot and gets a coach who will get him to shoot in games right away. The Warriors would be good in my mind but I cannot see how that happens. The 76ers might just have to find the person who can get Ben to shoot.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Where would be a good spot for him to go if he could choose do you think Rellum,Philly will want to send him to the team they get the best deal for him
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
There is no way Simmons would play for the Boomers at the Olympics if he went further in the play offs. The excuses that he now has to miss it for shooting practice is laughable, if he shot better they would be making the final. If the only way Philidelphia are not going to be in his ear and pulling his arm to miss the Olympics is for them to look to get rid of him so be it. On another note the one thing that you can measure at any level in basketball and compare is free throw shooting. WBA are much much better on free throws than in the NBA. Liz Cambage looks a bit like Ben Simmons so what about disguising her and switching them during free throws.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I have been a big supporter of Ben, he has so much potential and can do so much for our national team. But he is in real trouble now. He is clearly not up to it mentally. I have never seen a player disintegrate like that. He looks terrified right now. You have to think he does not have even close to the winners mentality of Jordon, Kobe or Bird. Can you imagine any of those guys coming out and saying they don't need to improve at shooting. Can you imagine those guys or most professional athletes deciding at 23 that their game is pretty much complete in attack, he just doesn't seem to think he needs to improve. Looking over what he has said and done over his NBA career it is clear he is happy to just dunk on the break or distribute if the dunk is not on. After that he just stands down near the bottom of the key waiting for his turn to defend or to get a occasional offensive rebound. He doesn't even fight for the rebound most of the time or move to get involved in the play after his first pass either. He is a liability in the half court let alone at the foul line. Unless he has a complete change of attitude and actually wants to improve then his NBA career is in serious jeopardy. He is happy to focus on defence sure, but in basketball that is the no risk path. If you can defend great, but if you can't no one really seems to care anymore. I also think his coaches have let him down but not making him shoot the ball in games. His refusal to do so from the start has created this mental block in him he might not get over. He should have been told to go out there and shoot. Brett Brown allowing him to run away from that did Simmons a massive disservice, but in the end it is Simmons who chose not to shoot, unless Brown told him not to. It has slowly affecting his free throws which were at one point 70% in play offs before but now down to 33% Now there is talk he will pull out of the Olympics to work on his shooting. He needs to shoot in games, shooting in the gym will only get him so far. His should bring his shot doctor and shoot in real games in the Olympics. The guy has so much talent but he needs to get that winning mentality or it will be over before he realises what has happened and then it will be too late.
Pete
Guest
He had a very poor series but some of the treatment he is copping on social media is horrible. As fans we have every right to criticise players for poor performances, but abusing players can never be justified purely because of poor performances. You'd think he'll be traded now and that's probably a good thing. I certainly wouldn't want to stay in Philly if I were him given the abuse he's received from the so called fans. I hope wherever he ends up he can sort his shooting issues and live up to some of his potential. The talent is still there he just needs to get over his mental issues.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
He went there with massive expectations initially, and all the local press I still read feigns all over him. Obviously we are not being told the full story. He’s still just a kid I think, maybe he’ll come good elsewhere. The
josh
Roar Rookie
Is it the player or the team? Firstly Simmons has been very poor. I don't get Embiid. Plenty of bigs who are better. And Doc Rivers isn't the best coach in tight situations. To be honest the hype around the 76ers seems more build around what they should be capable of doing not what they actually do. Maybe a change of scenery will help.