The Sixers have made the playoffs for the last five years, led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
With two All Stars playing and the long-range shooters in support, they won the home and away in the Eastern Conference this year.
They proceeded through the first two rounds of the playoffs, easily taking care of the Magic and the Russell Westbrook’s Wizards. Then they came up against the Hawks losing four to three. Trae Young’s long shots and layups were just too much.
But that’s just the bigger picture. The focus was on Simmons. His free throw shooting sinking to 33 per cent.
Oppositions were deliberately fouling him because they knew he would miss, and they would get the ball back. And it affected Simmons.
He started to sink within his shell and backed off the layups and dunks. This former number one pick and all star had imploded. And everyone was piling on. Ex-NBA champions, current ones and every keyboard warrior got their two bobs worth.
I watched the game. It was agonising and a very depressing result. The coach and Embiid let everyone know who’s fault it was.
Ben subsequently pulled out of the Olympic team and was seen with a new pretty young thing at Wimbledon, dressed up to the Tees. Buying a new mansion in Los Angeles. It makes it pretty hard to like a guy like that.
I was a Simmons fan, but I thought I was cured. A choker, a loser, move onto somebody like Matisse Thybulle. But no, two months later, I am here to represent Ben Simmons.
2021 was an emotionally hard year for Simmons. His sister accused his half-brother (who happens to be Ben’s manager) of molesting her as a child.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The family claims that she was mentally ill and making it up. I am not saying I know the truth of the matter. But in any case, the situation would weigh heavily on Simmons. This doesn’t absolve Simmons of his playing culpability, but it must at least diminish his responsibility.
Let’s have a look at Simmons’s partners in crime. Embiid, after the loss, threw Simmons under the bus.
“I thought the turning point was when we (Simmons) had and open shot, and we made one free throw and we missed the other and they came down and scored.”
He was referring to Simmons wide open dunk which he passed back to Thybulle. Lovely guy Joel. We lost because of you, Ben.
Then there was his coach, Rivers. “Obviously he has struggled at the free throw line and that has become a factor in this series.”
“I don’t know the answer to that right now” when asked if Simmons can be a point guard in a championship team.
Another hand in the back pushing Ben under the bus. A man who is famed for coaching losing finals team. A man who is known not to make the changes when it’s needed in finals. He has lost six playoff series being up 3-2 and three being up 3-1.
And Ben, shoved under the bus by the coach and Embiid, will have to go. Hopefully where he gets support and encouragement.
Basketball is not just about shooting. It is about defence and about passing, assisting other to score. And Simmons is a gun at both.
He is top five, if not top two defensive player in the league. In the last playoff series, Trae was unguardable to all by Simmons.
He can and does guard and win against the best in the league from speedy point guards to powerful towering centres. Simmons elite defence was a major factor in getting the Sixers to the third round in the first place.
Ben Simmons drives to the rim against James Johnson in Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
Simmons is on the verge of a triple double in almost all games he plays. His height, athleticism and defensive positioning usually results in around ten rebounds.
He would have more, but he leaves a lot to Embiid. Shooting ten points is not usually a problem to most basketballers and not usually Ben. The third, the hardest part, of the triple is assists. Simmons is a premium passer. He hits players with precision and speed.
He is one of the best in the league if not the best. Simmons will develop more, away from Embiid and become an absolute triple double machine. A lot like Russell Westbrook, but with a nicer demeanour.
Simmons is a selfless player. He doesn’t take the three pointers because he feels that others are a better shot. The famous non dunk occurred because he believed that passing the ball would guarantee two points whereas shooting might result in a foul and 33 per cent chance of two points.
Simmons should be advised, no ordered to take the ten-foot jumpers and the three points. I believe he would get a similar percentage as Westbook does. And few complain about him. And his shooting can only get better.
Ben Simmons is still just a babe in the scary world of hard men that reside in the NBA. His speed and strength can outdo most. He needs the confidence to proceed against some beasts. If he is not intimidated, he should be unstoppable on the drive. He needs to be.
Way back in the last century when I played basketball, a deliberate foul would buy you two from the line and the ball back. If this was the case, the rope a Ben would not be happening. Seeing Magic Johnson praising Hawks for their tactic was not a good look.
I see it as bad sportsmanship. I guess Ben can stamp it out by scoring 80per cent of the line. And that is pure technique and practice.
On the charge of not caring for his team and not wanting to win, I say not guilty.
On the charge of choking under duress, guilty. I sentence Ben to three months of intense shooting practice and upon release a coach to take him under his wing to make him the superstar he can be.
Lara
Guest
The charity line, nobody in front of you, take your own sweet time to take the shot n you shoot 33% n you are paid millions…….I love charities.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Ha, you read my deviation from AFL. My relationship with young Ben has been trying. I will see how it plays out in 2022.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
No, he is overrated in many ways. If he plays for Australia again, will be good. If does not, so be it. Australia won a medal without him and money can’t buy that.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
check undisputed episode game 6 finals,watched it 50 times as a bucks fan
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
No but I will have a look now.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
hey Yatzz,do you watch undisputed in the states,shannon sharpe and skip bayliss[tosser] shannon cracks me up,him and inside nba best shows
Maxy
Roar Rookie
mate,the last 2 years Middleton has copped heaps from bucks fan,I follow the facebook site,he really stepped up this year and I think he will keep going...good on him,he deserves alot of credit
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I love Middleton. A looks a bit like Ingles. I mean looks like he retired five years ago not that they are Afro American. But can he deliver. Westbrook the same. Chucks bricks but just keeps doing it .
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Yeah,mills is a good get for the nets.I started to follow the Bucks about 4 or 5 years ago,was watching heaps of NBA before hand and got a bit sick of the super teams,never really followed anyone ,wanted to go for a small market team and do the underdog thing Enter Giannis,watched him early days and now its history.Think Simmons should follow Giannis blueprint,he is not a good shooter either,he gets mocked about it on the free throw line with crowds doing the clock count down but it doesn't bother him,he will throw a brick but will come steaming back down the court next play and drive to the basket.Think Simmons problems are between the ears,just needs a good team that suits him.Giannis is our supermax player but he has no problem letting Middleton close games
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I think so. I pretty much put my sentiment and its change in the article. I thought Philly behaved badly but probably just the way they do in the NBA. Long time ago I was with Boston, then Philly (at the time of Dr J) then with Jordan/ Longley at Bulls. So I often am just watching teams because of players I like. Looking forward to Mills at Nets next year even though he won't start. Same with Joe Ingles.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
you going to follow him and support where he goes
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Thanks Hub. They don't get much of a readership in the basketball. But you know how I felt about Simmons.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Good article Yattz
Michael Cornell
Guest
I have followed Ben since his days at LSU & I just love watching him play. Make no mistakes he will be fine & bounce back. I'm hoping he gets traded as appears he is not happy with the pressure to bear in Philly. I like the idea of the Warriors with world class shooters in Curry & Thompson & I reckon he would compliment Draymond. I mean Matisse is a great defender so why the nonsence about Ben & Draymond Green getting in each other way defensively. Draymond shot ok in the Olympics too didnt he. So much said about his lack of shooting yet the 76ers recruited shooters Green & Curry as his wingmen to take the pressure off & that's been overlooked so who is to blame. He is a facilitator & defender 1st, scorer 2nd. You mentioned Trae Young unguardable unless by Ben. You can extend that to Luka Doncic & he's way ahead of TY..probably in top 5 players in the league. He should have won the Best Defensive Player defending 1-5 not one dimensional Rudy Gobert in comparsion who just defends in the paint. Absolute travesty. I would remind people that Ben scored easily on him in Utah mid season with 42pts ..go figure. As for any truth to family upheaval I would hope is unfounded & besides he is his own man & hopefully works through that as he comes across as a genuine nicely grounded individual. Look forward to your next basketball chapter Ben no matter where you play mate.
Adam
Guest
im sorry but every year the same criticisms are there: he cant and wont shoot and every year he makes no attempt to change the narrative. there are multiple videos of him shooting in the off season but who cares, he is a basketball player, thats what they do. no one is asking him to be steph curry. but expecting your star player to occasionally shoot an open jump shot shouldnt be a stretch. asking your star player to do anything that might require the defence to pay attention to him, freeing up his teammates a little more allowing the offence to flow better shouldnt be asking too much. he hasnt gotten better in the 4 years he has been in the league. his averages are basically the same with his percentages dropping so the argument can be made that he is getting worse year after year. its a shame because he is very obviously skilled. to be that big and be able to run and handle the ball like he does is exceptionally rare. but all the criticisms are more than valid. if he wants to stop being picked on, then do something about it. the off season is where you work on your game and strengthen your weaknesses not just hang out at parties and f__k socialites. ok, i get the last part but he still needs to work on his game.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Yes I saw the last dance and saw AS last night. He was one of the good ones. Some of the others…. winners are not always nice people.
Bell31
Roar Rookie
Thanks Yatz and good luck for your cats in the AFL – I’m pretty confident for you. Sorry, yes, you’re quite right and I should’ve mentioned that – Ben and Embiid just don’t fit in the same team and it’s been clear for a while – I dk re Lakers — I feel like he’s not as well suited in a team with a dominant interior presence as between Ben and ‘them’ (eg, AD), they clog the floor spacing too much on offense. GSW would be amazing, and watching Kerr on both the Last Dance and Luc Longley’s Aust Story (watch it, if you haven’t – really good), he seems really down to earth – however, I can’t see them trading out Dray (I know it’s the NBA, but I sense a lot of loyalty – maybe Dray could come off the bench though!). Back to the Lakers – I agree – I don’t understand Westbrook’s fit there – I guess we’ll see if the ‘grab all the talent you can and we’ll make it work’ approach works (applies to the Nets too, but moreso to the Lakers now I think!)
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Thanks Bell, I just read yours and I see you write an interesting article. I think Ben has been in a pretty ordinary environment. It would have been good if he went with the Boomers. But anymore criticism would have broken him. I wanted him to go to Le Bron. He would have looked after him. But he fits into Le Bron's team as much as Westbrook. (I don't know what Lakers are on). Actually if GSW could take him and trade Dray, it would be good for Simmons. From what I have seen, Steve Kerr looks like a decent person and great coach.
Bell31
Roar Rookie
Nice article Yaz – good to see you on NBA as well as AFL. I’m at such a loss when I think of Ben. I can’t quite think of another player like him – names that come to mind are Rodman, Draymond, maybe even Jason Kidd (!) – all guys whose lack of shooting (at least initially in Kidd’s case) were compensated by pronounced strengths. The big difference is that none of the above (maybe other than Kidd initially) were seen as 1st / 2nd star banana stars on their teams, and that is I think the core of the dilemma with Ben. He is probably most like Dray (as the other article on Ben suggests), but Dray is 3rd / 4th banana on GSW (admittedly an important part of the team’s success). Ben could play that role, but only if he trade value could diminish to such an extent that he could be traded accordingly. For Ben to be a true star, there’s no ifs or buts – he needs to be at least a modest shooter and probably even more importantly, fix his FT shooting, since it will keep him off the floor in play-off games (to some extent, he has limited value if he can’t fix the latter). However, if he can traded to a team in a facilitator role with a bunch of excellent shooters, he could be amazing and be close enough to the basket that his shooting might improve (I hope GSW doesn’t trade for him – him + Dray seems a nett negative). Lastly, it concerns me that by some accounts (Stephen A – first take) that Ben isn’t open to feedback, which may limit his improvement, if accurate. It would be amazing to see Ben become a true NBA star, as it would be Australia’s first.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Thanks for having a read, Jason. I noticed that published another article under the same name, so I am not sure how many others will. I know they are getting a lot of money to compensate their hurt feelings. But young Ben, I think he is really hurting. Already shifted to LA, not even talking to the club. I would be surprised if he ever goes back to Philly. Maybe just to play them.