Philadelphia 76ers All-Star point-forward Ben Simmons is reportedly working out hard this summer, something which wasn't the case for the Sixers' floor general in 2018, according to Stephen A. Smith of ESPN.
Simmons won the 2018 Rookie of the Year award. He made the All-Star team this past season, but he didn't show any improvements in his shooting ability. The Sixers guard has yet to hit a 3-pointer in his NBA career and doesn't have a mid-range jump shot either.
“I'm told by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports that he is working out very very hard, which was not the case last year,” Smith said on ESPN's First Take.
This past season, Ben Simmons averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists. The Sixers lost to the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the playoffs in seven games, with Simmons' scoring output dropping to 13.9 points in the postseason.
With the game slowing down in the playoffs and half-court execution at a premium, Simmons struggled to score since he doesn't have a jump shot yet.
Simmons is a nightmare to guard in the open court. He can get to the rim at will and finish in heavy traffic with either hand. The Sixers, though, need their point guard to at least be able to hit a mid-range jumper if they want to win a championship. When star big man Joel Embiid gets double-teamed in the post, Simmons is forced to hang out underneath the basket because he can't shoot.
Sixers fans and management are hoping Simmons comes back next season with an improved jumper.
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