Ben Simmons sheer size and athleticism make him a difficult cover. But, the fact he can’t reliably hit a jump shot and isn’t strong from the stripe (60.%) is concerning. Forget about the perimeter he went 0 for 11 last season and hasn’t even attempted a trey this season. If the “new NBA” doesn’t have room for a back to the basket big man than it sure stands to reason a point guard who can’t be counted on from the field will have certain limitations.
Just as easily as I can see this new union working I can find an equal reason to believe there could be issues down the road. Case in point…
After a blatant foul by Butler recently he was demonstrative in his interaction with the refs. Following the foul call, he marched to the bench sat down, then got up and walked back onto the court. Cut to later in the game and Ben Simmons took that a notch further by going and sitting with fans. Simmons got a tech for his actions and it was an understandable whistle given he committed a five or six step travel (twice in the game) which went uncalled. Moral: you don’t show up the refs when you – yourself are getting away with some calls.
Simmons made it clear the only reason he went to college is because he had to. Once LSU failed to make the NCAA Tournament he stopped attending classes. In his rookie season Simmons stated he deserved to be on the All-Star team. In the summer he told the media he never practiced free throws or shooting in general.
In my humble opinion, these actions all point to someone who has the tendency to not view the bigger picture.
Embiid can get away with being cheeky – he’s charming, and more importantly, he has the full toolkit. Butler has busted his behind to work his way up in the league as a complete two-way player and has carried teams on his shoulders.
However, Simmons, in essence, disrespected all the players who were far more deserving of an All-Star nod, having earned there way there. Can you imagine Mike Conley acting like that or speaking out publicly? I mean, we’d have been hearing about this for years now if he had (and with good reason).
I bring this up because with this particular trio of personalities Simmons will have to be the third in the pecking order. Should the 76ers add another piece it’s plausible he slides even further down that totem pole. How will that affect Simmons and more importantly the 76ers?
Philadelphia 76ers:
Offensive Rating: 13th
Defensive Rating: 14th
Net Differential: 8th
Points per game: 114.3 (6th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 46.6. percent (tied 8th)
Opponent points per game: 111.8 (20th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 44.5 percent (6th)
3-Point percent: 35.0% (14th)
Opponent 3-point percent: 34.4% (9th)
Record: 3rd in EC
Home: 14-3
Road: 6-8
Back to back sets: 5
- First game record: 4-1
- Second game record: 1-4
Versus the East: 15-10. 4th in EC
West: 5-1
Week nine 2-2: Lost Nets, Pacers,won Pistons, @Cavaliers
On tap for week 10: @Spurs, Knicks, Raptors