We're midway though Ben Simmons' third NBA season, and the 23-year-old still isn’t regularly taking three-point shots, let alone mid-range jumpers. This season, he is two-for-five from behind the arc, and some of those are last second prayers.
Thus, as the 76ers try to work their way out of some mid-season struggles, having previously been on a four-game losing streak, conversation about spacing and Simmons apparent unwillingness to shoot three’s will come up—especially if WIP trouble maker Howard Eskin is present at Sixers press conferences, specifically head coach Brett Brown.
Prior to Monday’s 120-113 win over the Thunder at Wells Fargo Center, Brown was talking about how he wants his team to hunt three-pointers more definitively—emphasizing the need to take more in addition to making more.
“Yes, I did,” Brown interjected.
“…to take a three a game,” Eskin continued. “Maybe I misread the box score. I haven’t seen one.”
The last time Simmons took a three-pointer was December 10, and it was a 48-footer with 0.1 seconds left before halftime.
“And this is true,” as Brown acknowledged Simmons lack of attempts, “and so evidently I have failed. It’s something that we’re all mindful of. This is one of these things that is never gonna away. The attention that this has received is remarkable, but I guess I helped fuel it, and I own it. I got to help him find this, and most importantly, he has to help himself.”
Brown might’ve “failed” in his attempt to encourage Simmons to take some. But, he’s also right by saying Simmons “has to help himself.”
The Sixers head coach has publicly acknowledged the simple desire for Simmons to attempt one three-pointer a game. No, Brown doesn’t want Simmons to be irresponsible with low percentage shots that wreck the flow of their offense, and ultimately jeopardize the chance to win. He asked for one three-pointer in a 48-minute game where sometimes hundreds of variables factor into the final result. And the purpose of this request was so the Sixers could become even more dangerous to their opponents by Simmons, who’s one of the most talented players in the NBA, posing as a legitimate threat to make a perimeter shot.
It’s not like he’s asking Simmons to play one-on-five and head into mid-April with 60 wins.
In most cases, regardless of the sport, the head coach should be held responsible for the performance of his players, which ultimately affect the level of success the team experiences. But, Brown should not be blamed for Simmons passing up these shots, as there are times he’ll also decide against taking very close looks at the rim to dish to teammates who are in lower percentage areas on the floor.
To Simmons' credit, he has acknowledged taking jumpers is a weakness of his. However, the maturity to recognize a flaw doesn’t excuse him from working on this rudimentary fundamental of the sport in games, especially against lesser opponents.