The Ben Simmons Megathread

[Black Mage]

Am I the only one who feels like there is something off with Ben the last two weeks or so?

He just seems hesitant to attack the rim and at times seems unsure what to do as he drives.

Is he hurt? Is it confidence in his shot? Is he forcing things?

I can't put my finger on it, but he doesn't look the same of late.

[Simmons25]

The 2 man game with Embiid seems to be disappearing and I am not sure why. Before Embiid would set a lot of screens for Ben to attack the basket. I don't know if Embiid is not setting those screens or defenses have adjusted to sag off and stop Simmons getting to the basket. Either way he is looking to pass way too much.

[PLO]

Am I the only one who feels like there is something off with Ben the last two weeks or so?

He just seems hesitant to attack the rim and at times seems unsure what to do as he drives.

Is he hurt? Is it confidence in his shot? Is he forcing things?

I can't put my finger on it, but he doesn't look the same of late.

He's just being played defensively a lot better. Offensively he's finding the limits of his game without a semblance of a jumpshot against clued-in NBA talent. Its obviously affecting his scoring but he's been excellent in almost every other area.

Its really incredible he's got in this situation (possible all-star in his rookie year) without a jumper but yeah this off-season should be dedicated to either remodeling his left hand shot or starting from the ground up with his right.

[Black Mage]

Does it also seems like we aren't running plays that worked earlier in year? I don't see many elbow screens from embiid to free up a Simmons drive which seemed to work well.

[TeamHigh]

The 2 man game with Embiid seems to be disappearing and I am not sure why. Before Embiid would set a lot of screens for Ben to attack the basket. I don't know if Embiid is not setting those screens or defenses have adjusted to sag off and stop Simmons getting to the basket. Either way he is looking to pass way too much.

Teams are simply sticking to Embiid and going under the pick, sagging way back on Simmons on pick and rolls. Essentially they're daring him to shoot, and everyone knows he won't. Teams have clued in on Simmons's weaknesses and are scheming against him. That's not a bad thing, it shows that he's good enough already to gameplan against, but it's concerning that he has such a glaring, easily exploited weakness. He definitely needs to work on fixing it, or we have to hope Fultz can do a good job as the primary pick and roll ballhandler.

[PLO]

Does it also seems like we aren't running plays that worked earlier in year? I don't see many elbow screens from embiid to free up a Simmons drive which seemed to work well.

Simmons certainly took many more elbow jumpers earlier in the year but I think that's a factor of defenses now not letting him get to that position to shoot.

[Black Mage]

Feels like it is putting all the pressure on Embiid once again.

[Simmons25]

The 2 man game with Embiid seems to be disappearing and I am not sure why. Before Embiid would set a lot of screens for Ben to attack the basket. I don't know if Embiid is not setting those screens or defenses have adjusted to sag off and stop Simmons getting to the basket. Either way he is looking to pass way too much.

Teams are simply sticking to Embiid and going under the pick, sagging way back on Simmons on pick and rolls. Essentially they're daring him to shoot, and everyone knows he won't. Teams have clued in on Simmons's weaknesses and are scheming against him. That's not a bad thing, it shows that he's good enough already to gameplan against, but it's concerning that he has such a glaring, easily exploited weakness. He definitely needs to work on fixing it, or we have to hope Fultz can do a good job as the primary pick and roll ballhandler.

And the fact he does not take those short jumpers anymore annoy the hell out of me. I mean hell he couldn't have shot it much worse than Redick and Covington has at times this year. He needs to be forced by the coaching staff to shoot X number of shots per game.

[TeamHigh]

The 2 man game with Embiid seems to be disappearing and I am not sure why. Before Embiid would set a lot of screens for Ben to attack the basket. I don't know if Embiid is not setting those screens or defenses have adjusted to sag off and stop Simmons getting to the basket. Either way he is looking to pass way too much.

Teams are simply sticking to Embiid and going under the pick, sagging way back on Simmons on pick and rolls. Essentially they're daring him to shoot, and everyone knows he won't. Teams have clued in on Simmons's weaknesses and are scheming against him. That's not a bad thing, it shows that he's good enough already to gameplan against, but it's concerning that he has such a glaring, easily exploited weakness. He definitely needs to work on fixing it, or we have to hope Fultz can do a good job as the primary pick and roll ballhandler.

And the fact he does not take those short jumpers anymore annoy the hell out of me. I mean hell he couldn't have shot it much worse than Redick and Covington has at times this year. He needs to be forced by the coaching staff to shoot X number of shots per game.

It's also not good because teams are overplaying Embiid on the pick and rolls, so he can't get free easily. Essentially a pick and roll works because the team is sure to get 1 of a number of solid options. The Simmons/Embiid PnR only has one really good option: Simmons rolling to the basket with a full head of steam. Take away that option and stick to Embiid and you essentially neutralize both players. That's why BB has gone away from the play as the rest of the NBA adjusts.

And I agree. Simmons should be forced to take a few of those jumpers. Even if it's ugly. Even if he airballs some of them. At least take a few of them to prove to defenses that they can't just not guard him. The only alternative is either to shelve the play entirely or find a new PnR ballhandler.

[Jams60]

The 2 man game with Embiid seems to be disappearing and I am not sure why. Before Embiid would set a lot of screens for Ben to attack the basket. I don't know if Embiid is not setting those screens or defenses have adjusted to sag off and stop Simmons getting to the basket. Either way he is looking to pass way too much.

Teams are simply sticking to Embiid and going under the pick, sagging way back on Simmons on pick and rolls. Essentially they're daring him to shoot, and everyone knows he won't. Teams have clued in on Simmons's weaknesses and are scheming against him. That's not a bad thing, it shows that he's good enough already to gameplan against, but it's concerning that he has such a glaring, easily exploited weakness. He definitely needs to work on fixing it, or we have to hope Fultz can do a good job as the primary pick and roll ballhandler.

And the fact he does not take those short jumpers anymore annoy the hell out of me. I mean hell he couldn't have shot it much worse than Redick and Covington has at times this year. He needs to be forced by the coaching staff to shoot X number of shots per game.

I am a huge Simmons fan and I hope that he is going to be as good as I first thought. But I am starting to have some concerns.
Without a doubt he has regressed as an offensive threat. I agree that ever since the hacking incident he seems more reluctant to drive and has given away any attempts at jump shots. We all say, he needs to go away in the off season and develop a jumper. Like he has never thought of that before!

The ESPN focus on the Sixers highlighted that Simmons has been groomed to be a NBA player since he was old enough to pick up a ball. He is 21. He would have worked on his shot relentlessly every time he stepped onto a court. To get to this ordinary level. One off -season ain’t going to change it.
I hope I’m wrong.

[Sixers2125]

Teams are simply sticking to Embiid and going under the pick, sagging way back on Simmons on pick and rolls. Essentially they're daring him to shoot, and everyone knows he won't. Teams have clued in on Simmons's weaknesses and are scheming against him. That's not a bad thing, it shows that he's good enough already to gameplan against, but it's concerning that he has such a glaring, easily exploited weakness. He definitely needs to work on fixing it, or we have to hope Fultz can do a good job as the primary pick and roll ballhandler.

And the fact he does not take those short jumpers anymore annoy the hell out of me. I mean hell he couldn't have shot it much worse than Redick and Covington has at times this year. He needs to be forced by the coaching staff to shoot X number of shots per game.

I am a huge Simmons fan and I hope that he is going to be as good as I first thought. But I am starting to have some concerns.
Without a doubt he has regressed as an offensive threat. I agree that ever since the hacking incident he seems more reluctant to drive and has given away any attempts at jump shots. We all say, he needs to go away in the off season and develop a jumper. Like he has never thought of that before!

The ESPN focus on the Sixers highlighted that Simmons has been groomed to be a NBA player since he was old enough to pick up a ball. He is 21. He would have worked on his shot relentlessly every time he stepped onto a court. To get to this ordinary level. One off -season ain’t going to change it.
I hope I’m wrong.

Yeah I'm a bit concerned. But the fact that his form is just awful tells me maybe he hasn't really worked on it that much.

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[nurseryc]

Does it also seems like we aren't running plays that worked earlier in year? I don't see many elbow screens from embiid to free up a Simmons drive which seemed to work well.

This. Simmons is creating beautiful assists and plays for everyone else yet we are running anything or passing to Simmons when he is open right underneath the basket. He is open and we are constantly missing making the easy passes to him for the easy 2. We have to many selfish players looking for their own shot at the detriment of the team. Simmons is unstoppable around the basket yet we aren’t even looking to hit him when he is open.

[vossy_3]

Teams are simply sticking to Embiid and going under the pick, sagging way back on Simmons on pick and rolls. Essentially they're daring him to shoot, and everyone knows he won't. Teams have clued in on Simmons's weaknesses and are scheming against him. That's not a bad thing, it shows that he's good enough already to gameplan against, but it's concerning that he has such a glaring, easily exploited weakness. He definitely needs to work on fixing it, or we have to hope Fultz can do a good job as the primary pick and roll ballhandler.

And the fact he does not take those short jumpers anymore annoy the hell out of me. I mean hell he couldn't have shot it much worse than Redick and Covington has at times this year. He needs to be forced by the coaching staff to shoot X number of shots per game.

I am a huge Simmons fan and I hope that he is going to be as good as I first thought. But I am starting to have some concerns.
Without a doubt he has regressed as an offensive threat. I agree that ever since the hacking incident he seems more reluctant to drive and has given away any attempts at jump shots. We all say, he needs to go away in the off season and develop a jumper. Like he has never thought of that before!

The ESPN focus on the Sixers highlighted that Simmons has been groomed to be a NBA player since he was old enough to pick up a ball. He is 21. He would have worked on his shot relentlessly every time he stepped onto a court. To get to this ordinary level. One off -season ain’t going to change it.
I hope I’m wrong.

What a load crap...

He’s a rookie for Christ sake.

Why do so many people think he should be the finished product already?

If he was shooting perfectly already, Jesus he’d be the MVP this season.

[Sixers2125]

Does it also seems like we aren't running plays that worked earlier in year? I don't see many elbow screens from embiid to free up a Simmons drive which seemed to work well.

This. Simmons is creating beautiful assists and plays for everyone else yet we are running anything or passing to Simmons when he is open right underneath the basket. He is open and we are constantly missing making the easy passes to him for the easy 2. We have to many selfish players looking for their own shot at the detriment of the team. Simmons is unstoppable around the basket yet we aren’t even looking to hit him when he is open.

Lol yeah.... We don't have selfish players. We pass the most in the NBA. I think that those are not always easy passes to make but also hard to recognize him under the basket.

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[crazy_me_87]

Am I the only one who feels like there is something off with Ben the last two weeks or so?

He just seems hesitant to attack the rim and at times seems unsure what to do as he drives.

Is he hurt? Is it confidence in his shot? Is he forcing things?

I can't put my finger on it, but he doesn't look the same of late.

He's just being played defensively a lot better. Offensively he's finding the limits of his game without a semblance of a jumpshot against clued-in NBA talent. Its obviously affecting his scoring but he's been excellent in almost every other area.

Its really incredible he's got in this situation (possible all-star in his rookie year) without a jumper but yeah this off-season should be dedicated to either remodeling his left hand shot or starting from the ground up with his right.

Yeah i think its mostly that now that he plays Teams the 2nd time or 3rd Time they just defend him better. The Plan before the Season basically was "Sag Off him as hard as you want and force him to shoot" after the first Game it was clear that was not working. So the new plan involves making his drives harder and other stuff.

He has to adapt and with how high his BBIQ is i am sure he will. Might take a while maybe even an Offseason of getting that Jumper to where he will at least take it confidently from the Elbows like he did earlier in the Season.

But i also have to say he seems a bit more passive lately in terms of scoring. His FG% is the same as it was before he simply is taking 2 to 3 fewer shots and getting to the line around 2 times fewer than before. Wether thats because of the Defense a change in the Plays ran for him or Ben actually beeing passive i cant say.

[TeamHigh]

What a load crap...

He’s a rookie for Christ sake.

Why do so many people think he should be the finished product already?

If he was shooting perfectly already, Jesus he’d be the MVP this season.

Nobody says he should be a perfect, finished product already.

But there is some legitimacy in what was said. Surely, someone with a basketball playing dad and who knew from an early age that he wanted to go to the NBA would realize that a shot was something that he should develop. If his form is still so bad it's probably not from the lack or reps, but rather something like the fact that he should probably be shooting them right handed instead.

[Ericb5]

Am I the only one who feels like there is something off with Ben the last two weeks or so?

He just seems hesitant to attack the rim and at times seems unsure what to do as he drives.

Is he hurt? Is it confidence in his shot? Is he forcing things?

I can't put my finger on it, but he doesn't look the same of late.

He's just being played defensively a lot better. Offensively he's finding the limits of his game without a semblance of a jumpshot against clued-in NBA talent. Its obviously affecting his scoring but he's been excellent in almost every other area.

Its really incredible he's got in this situation (possible all-star in his rookie year) without a jumper but yeah this off-season should be dedicated to either remodeling his left hand shot or starting from the ground up with his right.

Agreed.

The nba is figuring out how to accentuate his weaknesses. We all know that he needs a jumper, and he will have his work cutout for him in the offseason.


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[Bum Adebayo]

People is gonna complain no matter what, we finally have a MVP caliber player who creates tons of gravity with his beautiful handles and amazing vision, he is always a threat to pass the ball, defenders have to keep worrying about the other 4 players at any given moment, and all of this as a rookie! But it seems people only care about scoring and not about winning.

[Ericb5]

What a load crap...

He’s a rookie for Christ sake.

Why do so many people think he should be the finished product already?

If he was shooting perfectly already, Jesus he’d be the MVP this season.

Nobody says he should be a perfect, finished product already.

But there is some legitimacy in what was said. Surely, someone with a basketball playing dad and who knew from an early age that he wanted to go to the NBA would realize that a shot was something that he should develop. If his form is still so bad it's probably not from the lack or reps, but rather something like the fact that he should probably be shooting them right handed instead.

His shooting form is a weakness, but we knew that already. I think he should just keep attacking and playing the way he is playing for the rest of this year. In the off season improving his jumper and free throws will be a top priority, and it will take a few years before he has meaningful improvement most likely.

If switching hands makes sense then maybe he does that. I don’t care about 3 point shooting. Just 70% ft shooting, and competent jump shots in the flow of the game.


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[BenRightHand]

Simmons only took one shot in 3OTs. That’s can’t happen. He needs to do more offensively.