The Ben Simmons Megathread

[LongLiveHinkie]

Don't see Ben getting much above where he is shooting right now this season. Might get to 60% at the absolute most, but even that is pushing it IMO.

Don't forget this offseason they told him they wanted his main focus to be finishing at the rim and not shooting. Wonder if they'll focus more on shooting next season.

[cksdayoff]

Sixers personified in one play

whats absolutely crazy about that clip is otto porter is trying his damn hardest to catch up to embiid who is running the full length of the court, embiid looks like he isnt even pushing himself when he’s running and otto porter can’t catch any ground on him. wow

[nrok10307]

He’s obviously not going to change his shooting hand during the season. He’s obviously not comfortable with it yet, however, it’s encouraging seeing that he’s at least willingly using his right in practice and in warm-ups.

The cool thing is that he won't "revert back" to his old form like you see most players when they try to overhaul their shot. It's literally two different forms with two different hands, so all the practice with the right should translate over into games --- he'll just need to get the confidence and comfort mentally so that it becomes natural in-game.

[LongLiveHinkie]

His sister said last night that he is a born lefty. So not sure why he shoots better righty, but he definitely does.

[Duke4life831]

Everything about Simmons shot looks like a right handed shot up until he shoots with his left hand. His gather and everything else looks like a right handed shot. He has always had much better touch with his right hand as well. The video of him shooting right handed shows just how much more natural he shoots with his right hand. His FT form with his left hand looks really awkward. He's already an all star caliber player as a rookie and shooting with the wrong hand, if he starts shooting with his correct hand watch out.

[Sixersftw]

If Ben Simmons switches shooting hands and actually learns to function as a ranged shotmaker, what is to stop him from developing into the best player in the NBA? He'd be almost perfect.

The only thing that could stop him from being the best player in the NBA is if Embiid gets there first. He would be a better defending Magic Johnson with range (skillset wise, intangibles not so much). Thats the best player of the post player of the post Lebron era.

The only thing?

A touch of hyperbole but that sounds like a player with little to no skill deficiencies. Whats between the ears can always kill you but what do you see deterring him?

[Kobblehead]

Simmons' even-keel temperament and collected demeanor remind me of Julio Jones. He's just intrinsically motivated to be one of the greats. Doesn't need the emotional outbursts or anything. Just takes care of business.

[Unbreakable99]

He’s not going to change his shooting hand during the season. He’s obviously not comfortable with it yet; however, it’s encouraging seeing that he’s at least willingly using his right in practice and in warm-ups.

But it’s right there in plain sight. How can Ben watch videos of him shooting left vs right and continue to shoot left? It defies logic. His form looks crisp shooting right. His form is fine. Just make the change. It’s not that hard to see his form is better and that he’s a right handed shooter. And I think he would easily be over 70% shooting right with the Embiid theory. Since Ben hasn’t practiced as much shooting right then that means he doesn’t have as many bad mechanics and it’s easier to perfect his form since he doesn’t have years of practicing the same motion. Embiid started basketball late so he didn’t have any bad habits. Simmons doesn’t really have any bad right shooting free throw habits because he doesn’t shoot them. Make the change now and watch him become an 80% FT shooter.

[Leronziia]

It's only a matter of time IMO, hopefully it's sooner rather than later.

[PhilasFinest]

I did a bigger write up comparing Simmons/Blake Griffin's jumpers+foul shooting prior to the draft.....but I think he can manage at least a similar trend as Blake Griffin did coming into the league.

Griffin struggled not only shooting, but with FT shooting in college and his initial years in the NBA. His 1st 2 seasons (21 and 22 y/o) he shot 62%FT and 52% FT on 7+ FTA. After that, he gradually improved, up to 66% his 3rd season, and then into the 70's every year after, finishing last season at 76% and right now, he's shooting a career best 78% from the line.

Throughout the process of improving his FT shooting.....he also expanded him jump shot. 1st it was a spot up 15-18 footer, and now he's making 3's at a 35% clip.

Obviously, they are not EXACTLY identical as players/prospects.....but they do share some similarities, which gives me A LOT of optimism in projecting Simmons' potential as a shooter. Brown also helped Noel/Okafor improve a bit shooting from the line, so I think its only a matter of time before Simmons improves not only from the line, but overall as a shooter.

[76ciology]

If Ben Simmons switches shooting hands and actually learns to function as a ranged shotmaker, what is to stop him from developing into the best player in the NBA? He'd be almost perfect.

And we dont want that because it will be unfair to other teams

[76ciology]

I did a bigger write up comparing Simmons/Blake Griffin's jumpers+foul shooting prior to the draft.....but I think he can manage at least a similar trend as Blake Griffin did coming into the league.

Griffin struggled not only shooting, but with FT shooting in college and his initial years in the NBA. His 1st 2 seasons (21 and 22 y/o) he shot 62%FT and 52% FT on 7+ FTA. After that, he gradually improved, up to 66% his 3rd season, and then into the 70's every year after, finishing last season at 76% and right now, he's shooting a career best 78% from the line.

Throughout the process of improving his FT shooting.....he also expanded him jump shot. 1st it was a spot up 15-18 footer, and now he's making 3's at a 35% clip.

Obviously, they are not EXACTLY identical as players/prospects.....but they do share some similarities, which gives me A LOT of optimism in projecting Simmons' potential as a shooter. Brown also helped Noel/Okafor improve a bit shooting from the line, so I think its only a matter of time before Simmons improves not only from the line, but overall as a shooter.

Yup same here. Actually I've always compared Ben to BG. But back then I wasnt confident on BG's shooting until he's knocking down 3s this season.

[Dundalis]

He’s not going to change his shooting hand during the season. He’s obviously not comfortable with it yet; however, it’s encouraging seeing that he’s at least willingly using his right in practice and in warm-ups.

But it’s right there in plain sight. How can Ben watch videos of him shooting left vs right and continue to shoot left? It defies logic. His form looks crisp shooting right. His form is fine. Just make the change. It’s not that hard to see his form is better and that he’s a right handed shooter. And I think he would easily be over 70% shooting right with the Embiid theory. Since Ben hasn’t practiced as much shooting right then that means he doesn’t have as many bad mechanics and it’s easier to perfect his form since he doesn’t have years of practicing the same motion. Embiid started basketball late so he didn’t have any bad habits. Simmons doesn’t really have any bad right shooting free throw habits because he doesn’t shoot them. Make the change now and watch him become an 80% FT shooter.

Except all I hear is that half his right handed jumpshots in practice are airballs. It's nowhere near as easy as you are saying, even if long term with lots and lots of reps he is likely a better shooter as a righty.

[Ericb5]

He’s not going to change his shooting hand during the season. He’s obviously not comfortable with it yet; however, it’s encouraging seeing that he’s at least willingly using his right in practice and in warm-ups.

But it’s right there in plain sight. How can Ben watch videos of him shooting left vs right and continue to shoot left? It defies logic. His form looks crisp shooting right. His form is fine. Just make the change. It’s not that hard to see his form is better and that he’s a right handed shooter. And I think he would easily be over 70% shooting right with the Embiid theory. Since Ben hasn’t practiced as much shooting right then that means he doesn’t have as many bad mechanics and it’s easier to perfect his form since he doesn’t have years of practicing the same motion. Embiid started basketball late so he didn’t have any bad habits. Simmons doesn’t really have any bad right shooting free throw habits because he doesn’t shoot them. Make the change now and watch him become an 80% FT shooter.

Except all I hear is that half his right handed jumpshots in practice are airballs. It's nowhere near as easy as you are saying, even if long term with lots and lots of reps he is likely a better shooter as a righty.

I certainly don’t think it is easy. In fact I thought it would be pretty much impossible until I saw the clip of him shooting right handed. He is out of practice doing it that way so logic would dictate that he would be worse at it right now, but the form looks much better.

In the off-season I would seriously consider making the switch. Just shoot that way the whole summer and even if it is worse next season than it is today, it will probably be better in the long run.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Unbreakable99]

Look how many times Austin Rivers excludes Ben Simmons lol. This quote has me in laughing in tears lol.

Read on Twitter

[Sixersftw]

Look how many times Austin Rivers excludes Ben Simmons lol. This quote has me in laughing in tears lol.

Are they giving out a ROY award for the Non Ben Simmons division this year?

[LongLiveHinkie]

Rookie of the month

[CoreyGallagher]

Read on Twitter

[cksdayoff]

ben and donovan are the same age... one sat out the year with an injury while observing the pro game while the other played another season of college ball honing his skills.

one’s a generational talent while the other has the potential to be a very good starter in this league

[Unbreakable99]

Just imagine how great Ben would be if he starts shooting with his shooting hand. He’s doing all this with his off hand. Lol.