Ben Simmons has essentially refused to take 3-point shots during his first two seasons in the NBA, but the former first overall pick has been working on his outside shooting this summer and seems confident the effort will pay off.
Simmons was asked about his 3-point shooting while meeting with the media on Monday, and he said his approach this season will be a very simple one.
“If it’s open I’ll take it.” –#Sixers Ben Simmons on shooting 3’s pic.twitter.com/sySuFEbDjt
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) September 30, 2019
“I mean, it’s part of the game,” Simmons said. “If it’s open, I’ll take it.”
Simmons was then asked about people saying shooting is his weakness, and he seemed a bit annoyed.
“It just changes the dynamic of the game.”#Sixers Ben Simmons on how having a jumper will make it tougher for defenses to stick him pic.twitter.com/kmFzHtELHM
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) September 30, 2019
Today’s NBA is filled with big men who can stretch the floor and knock down shots from outside, but Simmons has attempted just 17 3-pointers during his entire first two seasons playing in the league. Teams are content to let him take outside shots, which he usually turns down. That has made him much easier to defend, especially in the playoffs.
There was talk last year about Simmons potentially switching to shooting right-handed in an attempt to improve things, but a recent video of him working on his shot shows he is sticking with the left and hoping to add a jump shot to his arsenal. If he is successful in doing that, he could have a huge season.
