Lack of Reliable Jump Shot Affects Half-Court Offense
Ben Simmons, a highly talented basketball player who was the 2016 first overall pick, has seen a decline in his performance in recent NBA seasons. Despite his skills and athleticism, one of the main factors contributing to his decline is his lack of a reliable jump shot, which makes it easier for opposing teams to defend against him. Simmons has attempted only 36 three-pointers in his career and has made just five.
Simmons’ struggles with his jump shot have also affected his ability to contribute to the half-court offense. When he lacks the willingness and ability to shoot from outside, opponents can sag off him and clog the paint, making it harder for him to drive and create opportunities for his teammates. The 24-year-old Australian’s offensive confidence seems to have taken a hit with his decline in performance.
Shaquille O’Neal Urges Simmons to Stay Aggressive on Court
Shaquille O’Neal has been a vocal critic of Simmons over the years, urging him to stay aggressive on the court. Despite Shaq’s advice, Simmons hasn’t shown much improvement in his shooting abilities or assertiveness on offense. Instead, Simmons’ statistics show a decline in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities.
Kobe Bryant Joins Shaq in Criticizing Simmons’ Lack of Jump Shot
Shaquille O’Neal isn’t the only legend who’s been critical of Ben Simmons’ lack of a jump shot; Kobe Bryant has also joined in by revealing that he would give Simmons the green light to shoot from downtown even if he missed every single attempt.
Injuries as Contributing Factor to Simmons’ Struggles
Apart from dealing with numerous criticisms of his game, Simmons has also experienced a series of injuries that have caused him to miss games and be shut down for an entire NBA season. Notably, he missed his first season due to injury and has experienced knee impingement and back problems that forced him to sit out games.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Ongoing Feud with Ben Simmons
Another issue that could be hampering Simmons’ confidence is the ongoing feud between him and Shaquille O’Neal. It began with Shaq taking shots at Simmons on social media, including posting a poll suggesting that Iowa star Caitlin Clark would beat Simmons in a one-on-one game. The feud intensified when Shaq questioned Simmons’ mental health claims after the player’s comments on Doc Rivers’ criticism.
Final Thoughts
While Simmons remains a talented player, his struggles with his jump shot and lack of aggression on offense have contributed to his decline as an NBA player. Unless he can improve his shooting skills and assertiveness on the court, he risks remaining stagnant in his development as an athlete.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
