The Ben Simmons Megathread - Part III

[Bum Adebayo]

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/no-1-pick-ben-simmons-geaux-lsu-article-1.2530677

Yeah, so natural that he doesn't even try to shoot with it
He is saying this because he doesn't want to change hands, wants to avoid putting in the work. He has been coddled all his life and as a result has ingrained low work ethic.

Oh great, so you have inside tracking of the situation? what Simmons said or thinks? amazing man.

I have been following this kid for a long time, his low work ethic has been evident for a long time, not something inside the Sixers organization at all, it was well before that.

[Negrodamus]

Disagree. That shot I posted has a better form, spring and release than his left hand jumpers. The elbow is correct and he actually pushes the ball forward instead of twisting the ball with the palm of his hand like he does with the leftys. Furthermore I don't know how any train has "left" when he barely shoots his left hand jumpers and shoots way more of those right handed push shots? All he needs to do is keep his left palm on the ball a few seconds longer on release and that IS a jumper, period. The lefties will never work because his form, spring and release are just not natural or proper. If he does what I just suggested with those push shots and put In the reps then he'll have a chance of developing a midrange jumper imo.

Alright, well I'm certainly not going to be the one that convinces you at this point.

But there is precedent: Tristan Thompson switched hands in 2013. His FT% regressed in the three years following. The past two years has he only seen some improvement and he's still below a 70% FT shooter. So, my question is, what's the point of ripping Ben out of what feels natural to him for marginal, if any, results?

The thing is what is Ben really "switching" when he doesn't even shoot the left hand jumpers anyway? Cause like I said already, he shoots those right handed push shots In every game so clearly he's comfortable with them. Turning that into a jumper should be pretty easy imo because the form and release are already there.

I'm willing to agree that he has a mental block because he feels his jump shot isn't the highest percentage shot that the team can take on any given possession. That should definitely change.

I'm not willing to concede that the transition from left to right will be easy nor is it the right move. We just see this very differently.

[Negrodamus]

Yeah, so natural that he doesn't even try to shoot with it
He is saying this because he doesn't want to change hands, wants to avoid putting in the work. He has been coddled all his life and as a result has ingrained low work ethic.

Oh great, so you have inside tracking of the situation? what Simmons said or thinks? amazing man.

I have been following this kid for a long time, his low work ethic has been evident for a long time, not something inside the Sixers organization at all, it was well before that.

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html

But, I've seen Ben's improvement and Ben has worked extremely hard with Lloyd Pierce, one of our assistant coaches, after pretty much every practice and every shootaround he's worked on his shot. And he's gotten better.

I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

[Bum Adebayo]

I have been following this kid for a long time, his low work ethic has been evident for a long time, not something inside the Sixers organization at all, it was well before that.

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html

But, I've seen Ben's improvement and Ben has worked extremely hard with Lloyd Pierce, one of our assistant coaches, after pretty much every practice and every shootaround he's worked on his shot. And he's gotten better.

I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Can't trust Redick when he ends with "And he's gotten better". BEcause in fact it has gotten worse.

[Negrodamus]

I have been following this kid for a long time, his low work ethic has been evident for a long time, not something inside the Sixers organization at all, it was well before that.

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html

But, I've seen Ben's improvement and Ben has worked extremely hard with Lloyd Pierce, one of our assistant coaches, after pretty much every practice and every shootaround he's worked on his shot. And he's gotten better.

I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Can't trust Redick when he ends with "And he's gotten better". BEcause in fact it has gotten worse.

Well this was at the end of last year when Lloyd Pierce was on the team. I don't think his work ethic has fallen off in a year.

[Bum Adebayo]

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html



I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Can't trust Redick when he ends with "And he's gotten better". BEcause in fact it has gotten worse.

Well this was at the end of last year when Lloyd Pierce was on the team. I don't think his work ethic has fallen off in a year.

Redick was saying his shot got better, which is false, that is the point here. He is just complimenting Simmons, even if not telling the truth, it is what friends do.

[Negrodamus]

Can't trust Redick when he ends with "And he's gotten better". BEcause in fact it has gotten worse.

Well this was at the end of last year when Lloyd Pierce was on the team. I don't think his work ethic has fallen off in a year.

Redick was saying his shot got better, which is false, that is the point here. He is just complimenting Simmons, even if not telling the truth, it is what friends do.

But the point I was conveying is his work ethic, not his shot, which JJ physically observed and commended.

You're right, I'll just discount all comments from people who see Ben everyday and get my Ben Simmons news from Bum Adebayo on RealGM.

[PhillyPhilly]

Alright, well I'm certainly not going to be the one that convinces you at this point.

But there is precedent: Tristan Thompson switched hands in 2013. His FT% regressed in the three years following. The past two years has he only seen some improvement and he's still below a 70% FT shooter. So, my question is, what's the point of ripping Ben out of what feels natural to him for marginal, if any, results?

The thing is what is Ben really "switching" when he doesn't even shoot the left hand jumpers anyway? Cause like I said already, he shoots those right handed push shots In every game so clearly he's comfortable with them. Turning that into a jumper should be pretty easy imo because the form and release are already there.

I'm willing to agree that he has a mental block because he feels his jump shot isn't the highest percentage shot that the team can take on any given possession. That should definitely change.

I'm not willing to concede that the transition from left to right will be easy nor is it the right move. We just see this very differently.

Your point is a little baffling though. If he's not even shooting left hand jumpers then what is he "switching"? You can only switch to something if you do something. He doesn't shoot it but he DOES have a right handed push shot that could easily be a jumper with minor adjustments so I just cannot fathom how it would be a bad idea. If he hasn't been able to develop a left handed jumper after three years in the league then what do you expect to see next season? IMO he should work on a shot that he actually has the confidence and mechanics to take which are those right hand push shots.

[Negrodamus]

The thing is what is Ben really "switching" when he doesn't even shoot the left hand jumpers anyway? Cause like I said already, he shoots those right handed push shots In every game so clearly he's comfortable with them. Turning that into a jumper should be pretty easy imo because the form and release are already there.

I'm willing to agree that he has a mental block because he feels his jump shot isn't the highest percentage shot that the team can take on any given possession. That should definitely change.

I'm not willing to concede that the transition from left to right will be easy nor is it the right move. We just see this very differently.

Your point is a little baffling though. If he's not even shooting left hand jumpers then what is he "switching"? You can only switch to something if you do something. He doesn't shoot it but he DOES have a right handed push shot that could easily be a jumper with minor adjustments so I just cannot fathom how it would be a bad idea. If he hasn't been able to develop a left handed jumper after three years in the league then what do you expect to see next season? IMO he should work on a shot that he actually has the confidence and mechanics to take which are those right hand push shots.

You're operating under the premise that a one handed shot not only looks enough like a jumpshot to warrant the change, but should be an easy transition. I've already provided an identical situation in which no marked improvement has been made (Tristan Thompson) and that has been casted aside for reasons I'm failing to see. We know he's not taking jumpers because he feels like the team could take a better shot from someone else. If he switched to his right hand, he'd still feel the same way.

[PhillyPhilly]

I'm willing to agree that he has a mental block because he feels his jump shot isn't the highest percentage shot that the team can take on any given possession. That should definitely change.

I'm not willing to concede that the transition from left to right will be easy nor is it the right move. We just see this very differently.

Your point is a little baffling though. If he's not even shooting left hand jumpers then what is he "switching"? You can only switch to something if you do something. He doesn't shoot it but he DOES have a right handed push shot that could easily be a jumper with minor adjustments so I just cannot fathom how it would be a bad idea. If he hasn't been able to develop a left handed jumper after three years in the league then what do you expect to see next season? IMO he should work on a shot that he actually has the confidence and mechanics to take which are those right hand push shots.

You're operating under the premise that a one handed shot not only looks enough like a jumpshot to warrant the change, but should be an easy transition. I've already provided an identical situation in which no marked improvement has been made (Tristan Thompson) and that has been casted aside for reasons I'm failing to see. We know he's not taking jumpers because he feels like the team could take a better shot from someone else. If he switched to his right hand, he'd still feel the same way.

Again, WHAT IS HE SWITCHING? Pardon me for the caps but you seem to be avoiding that question. If he was taking left hand jumpers then yes, he would be switching. But he isn't so In essence his jumper is a blank sheet right now. That's why comparing him to Thompson isn't really valid. Furthermore the right handed push shot sees him have his elbow straight on and his hand pushes the ball forward rather than the ugly mess he has with the lefty jumpers he tries once In a blue moon. I also don't agree with your last point. If Ben develops a reliable jumper I'm convinced he'd take them much more often without even blinking.

[youngcrev]

Would be bonkers if coach called a play to start the game where Ben ends up with the ball at the top of the key, and the entire point of running it is to give Ben his chance to take a shot from 3, in a controlled setting where you know they will sag off, and he can take his time and line it up and shoot it.

Cuz if he makes it, the entire game changes. If he misses it, we are back at the same place. So why not do it?

the game wouldn't change. if that's the game plan, raptors will gladly sag off b/c simmons would go 1 for however many he took that night.

Nah, that's not how it works. In fact, we should have him take the shot from center court. Think of the spacing if he were to make that just once!

[youngcrev]

I have been following this kid for a long time, his low work ethic has been evident for a long time, not something inside the Sixers organization at all, it was well before that.

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html

But, I've seen Ben's improvement and Ben has worked extremely hard with Lloyd Pierce, one of our assistant coaches, after pretty much every practice and every shootaround he's worked on his shot. And he's gotten better.

I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Can't trust Redick when he ends with "And he's gotten better". BEcause in fact it has gotten worse.

His jumpshot has gotten worse in practice?

[phillynative]

I partly blame Brett ...When Ben self anointed himself the 'Point Guard' the offseason before his first season and the summer we drafted bustelle fultz. Brett ecstatically went with it almost bragging about Ben's ability saying "hes not just a point forward I believe hes a point gaurd.

He was being incredibly short sighted. What he should of did is got a vet PG and told Ben he can take the reigns if he works on and improve his shot. But Brett is not that type of coach. We made need one with some austerity to get these guys in check. Both Ben and Joel while were at it.

[phillynative]

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html



I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Can't trust Redick when he ends with "And he's gotten better". BEcause in fact it has gotten worse.

His jumpshot has gotten worse in practice?

[Ferry Avenue]

I partly blame Brett ...When Ben self anointed himself the 'Point Guard' the offseason before his first season and the summer we drafted bustelle fultz. Brett ecstatically went with it almost bragging about Ben's ability saying "hes not just a point forward I believe hes a point gaurd.

He was being incredibly short sighted. What he should of did is got a vet PG and told Ben he can take the reigns if he works on and improve his shot. But Brett is not that type of coach. We made need one with some austerity to get these guys in check. Both Ben and Joel while were at it.

This is what happens when you're engaging in a well-publicized "process" that revolves around players, while the coach can easily be perceived as a placeholder during it. The players have all the power and the coach is castrated.

This is also why this team is so sloppy and has so many turnovers. The power to correct that, which normally resides in the coach, isn't there.

[Negrodamus]

Your point is a little baffling though. If he's not even shooting left hand jumpers then what is he "switching"? You can only switch to something if you do something. He doesn't shoot it but he DOES have a right handed push shot that could easily be a jumper with minor adjustments so I just cannot fathom how it would be a bad idea. If he hasn't been able to develop a left handed jumper after three years in the league then what do you expect to see next season? IMO he should work on a shot that he actually has the confidence and mechanics to take which are those right hand push shots.

You're operating under the premise that a one handed shot not only looks enough like a jumpshot to warrant the change, but should be an easy transition. I've already provided an identical situation in which no marked improvement has been made (Tristan Thompson) and that has been casted aside for reasons I'm failing to see. We know he's not taking jumpers because he feels like the team could take a better shot from someone else. If he switched to his right hand, he'd still feel the same way.

Again, WHAT IS HE SWITCHING? Pardon me for the caps but you seem to be avoiding that question. If he was taking left hand jumpers then yes, he would be switching. But he isn't so In essence his jumper is a blank sheet right now. That's why comparing him to Thompson isn't really valid. Furthermore the right handed push shot sees him have his elbow straight on and his hand pushes the ball forward rather than the ugly mess he has with the lefty jumpers he tries once In a blue moon. I also don't agree with your last point. If Ben develops a reliable jumper I'm convinced he'd take them much more often without even blinking.

Well, for one, he shoots free throws which is probably the largest reason to not switch since that's where a decent chunk of his points come from. If he dips below 50% as a FT shooter, then his asking price in his pending free agency drops substantially.

Also, he shot more earlier in the season. It's not like he has never shot before. And just because he doesn't shoot jumpers much in games doesn't mean he's not practicing every day hundreds of shots with his left hand. He is definitively not a "blank sheet" after over a decade of shooting left handed.

Just because you don't see his shot doesn't mean he doesn't have a deeply rooted form.

[phillynative]

I partly blame Brett ...When Ben self anointed himself the 'Point Guard' the offseason before his first season and the summer we drafted bustelle fultz. Brett ecstatically went with it almost bragging about Ben's ability saying "hes not just a point forward I believe hes a point gaurd.

He was being incredibly short sighted. What he should of did is got a vet PG and told Ben he can take the reigns if he works on and improve his shot. But Brett is not that type of coach. We made need one with some austerity to get these guys in check. Both Ben and Joel while were at it.

This is what happens when you're engaging in a well-publicized "process" that revolves around players, while the coach can easily be perceived as a placeholder during it. The players have all the power and the coach is castrated.

This is also why this team is so sloppy and has so many turnovers. The power to correct that, which normally resides in the coach, isn't there.

Maybe but IMO we still need a starting calibur PG to run this team . If we had a true floor leader I believe they wouldn't look as sloppy

[James40]

He skipped his rookie year so he wouldn’t have to show up in January and miss out on ROY the following season. At a minimum, he should of been shooting 500 jumpers a day during his first season right after his foot was healed. How has Giannis improved? He works his ass off, not with opposing players either.

Examining which hand he should shoot with is arguing the tallest midget, he currently doesn’t shoot with either and it’s fair to say if he went 5 for 20 on jumpers outside 10ft with whatever hand he used, it would be considered a success.

[TheBallsDeeper]

I have been following this kid for a long time, his low work ethic has been evident for a long time, not something inside the Sixers organization at all, it was well before that.

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html

But, I've seen Ben's improvement and Ben has worked extremely hard with Lloyd Pierce, one of our assistant coaches, after pretty much every practice and every shootaround he's worked on his shot. And he's gotten better.

I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Same article Reddick says that Simmons form looks better right handed and JJ has told him that he should change hands. As you say, I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

[Negrodamus]

I have been following this kid for a long time, his low work ethic has been evident for a long time, not something inside the Sixers organization at all, it was well before that.

https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-jj-redick-shooting-hand-wrong-right-left-free-throw-podcast-ringer-20180406.html

But, I've seen Ben's improvement and Ben has worked extremely hard with Lloyd Pierce, one of our assistant coaches, after pretty much every practice and every shootaround he's worked on his shot. And he's gotten better.

I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Same article Reddick says that Simmons form looks better right handed and JJ has told him that he should change hands. As you say, I'll take the word of someone who sees him in person every day over someone who "follows" him.

Then surely you read this part too, right?

He seemed open to the idea. I don't want to mess with him. I also think since I said that to him, which was like October or November which was the first time I saw him shoot right-handed, he's gotten better left-handed. So I don't know if it's necessary with him. The other thing with Ben, too, is like — you need shooting around Ben, but I don't think Ben ever needs to have a jump shot to be an effective player.