The first thing I want to do is establish my feelings on Ben Simmons. Which are he’s an ok basketball player but is way overpaid. I made those feelings clear in why they should trade him for James Harden. I made those feelings clear when I said: “Trust The Process” was fools gold. If it wasn’t obvious enough, I made it impossible to misinterpret when I suggested they should trade Simmons–even before Harden was available–when I talked about what the 76ers needed to do next. Of course, a lot of people ignored the signs when they were there because Ben Simmons didn’t play in last year’s playoffs due to injury. So it seems like they forgot what a liability he was. However, it seems like people won’t forget this time. So, let’s talk about the lesson we learned about Ben Simmons.
Always, Always, Always Make The Trade When You’re Getting The Better Player
If you did not think trading Ben Simmons for James Harden was a lopsided trade for the 76ers then you probably hate Harden because you don’t watch him. There was never a chance that Ben Simmons could be an MVP candidate, much less an MVP winner like James Harden. It’s a hard lesson that is not only applicable to the 76ers.
However, I am sure that people will point out that the Nets are out of the playoffs as well. Ignoring the fact that injuries to Harden and Irving had a lot to do with that. The fact they were one inch away from being in the conference finals with Irving missing the last 3 games, Harden practically missing the first four games, and hobbled up and down the court for the remaining three games speaks volumes about that team’s depth. Injuries are the only thing stopping the Nets from winning it all. No one can beat a healthy Nets team four times in seven tries.
That could have been the 76ers. The 76ers lost Game 5 because Embiid went cold in the second half. Obviously, they couldn’t rely on Simmons to pick up the slack, but you know who could have? James Harden. This lesson should not only be a lesson learned for the 76ers but also the Miami Heat.
Simmon’s Game Doesn’t Make Up For His Lack of Shooting
Let’s be honest, it’s very difficult to be an effective player without a jump shot… It’s even harder for guards–which Simmons should no longer be. If you’re going to be a ball-handler who can’t shoot, you need to affect the game in a big way in other areas. Let’s use Russell Westbrook. He can’t shoot and his free throw shooting has been on a downward trajectory. Despite those inefficiencies, as well as him not being nearly as good of a defensive player as Ben Simmons, his impact metrics are better than Simmons. Why is that? For one, even though Westbrook is not a great shooter, he can still get hot from the field. Whether it’s for one game, one week, or one month. To the scope of how little volume Simmons brings as a scorer, he’s had only six games where he has scored 30 points or more. Westbrook, who is slowly declining, had 10 games where he scored 30 points or more this season.
Then there is the way both players make their biggest impact, which is passing. Westbrook had 50 games this year where had 10 or more assists. How many 10+ assists games Ben Simmons has over the last three seasons? 48. I would also mention that Westbrook is the epitome of leadership. Where when he speaks, people listen. He not only makes players better, he wants to make them better. Simmons is out there because he supposed to be.
Then there is the way both players make their biggest impact, which is passing. Westbrook had 50 games this year where had 10 or more assists. How many 10+ assists games Ben Simmons has over the last three seasons? 48. I would also mention that Westbrook is the epitome of leadership. Where when he speaks, people listen. He not only makes players better, but he also wants to make them better. Simmons is out there because he is supposed to be.
Lack of Progress
As mentioned in my article about “The Process” being a failure, one of those reasons is the lack of growth in areas of weakness. Saying specifically that Ben Simmons has only improved in the areas that he is already good at.
Doc Rivers, Daryl Morey, and Ben Simmons have all said one way or another that Ben Simmons doesn’t need to develop a jump shot. First of all, yes it is. Second, even if it wasn’t a necessity, wouldn’t it be nice if he can at least develop a shot and have the confidence to shoot outside the paint? Is it so bad that he adds layers to his game so it’s not “dunk or pass” with him? As for the free-throw shooting, I know Ben Simmons’s free throw percentage in the playoffs is killing Morey on the inside. Since “Moreyball” uses free throws as one of its main pillars.
With all that being said, I think it’s time we talk about why Simmons is still lacking a jump shot after being drafted five years ago. To put it simply, I don’t think he cares about being the best player he can be. Not that it’s a conscious decision, but some players work tirelessly to add new wrinkles to their game. Here we are five years later and Simmons has the same problems as he did back then. Not everyone in the NBA loves basketball, the same way not everyone who plays a professional sport necessarily loves that sport. Some just love money and fame. There’s nothing wrong with loving the benefits of being a pro athlete without loving the sport itself. However, don’t get mad when people start saying it.
What Needs To Be Done
Whether it’s with the 76ers or somewhere else, Simmons can’t have the same role anymore. He’s quite literally the fifth option on a playoff-caliber team. Which makes no sense when he’s your primary ball-handler. If it were me, the only time he would be the ball-handler is when the team is on the fast break, as that is when he is most effective as a passer. In the half-court offense, I would treat him like a Center, where he sits in the dunker spot and maybe run some PNR action.
Secondly, I don’t care how he responds, I would force that guy to pay an “end of practice tax” where he needs to make 100 free throws before he’s allowed to leave. Shooting 34% from the line in two combined playoff series makes Shaquille O’Neal’s free throw problems look manageable.
Lastly, I would find him a coach to work on his shot. If it’s my responsibility to coach him, then I am doing what Doc Rivers and Brett Brown don’t have the stones to do and make him get outside his comfort zone. I know we all see videos of him shooting threes in an open gym, but I am going to start making him do it in practice and eventually make him do it in games–when the time is appropriate to do so.