Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant offered up some advice to Philadelphia 76ers star, Ben Simmons.
The Los Angeles Lakers are once again connected to Philadelphia 76ers rising star, Ben Simmons. Thankfully, this time, it cannot be considered a case of tampering.
Earlier this season the Lakers were embroiled in another potential tampering case when it was revealed that Simmons wanted to workout with and talk to Lakers president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson.
The Lakers avoided another tampering charge and fine after 76ers general manager, Elton Brand, helped clear the air. This time, it is Lakers all-time great, Kobe Bryant, offering up some advice to Simmons.
There weren’t many players to grace an NBA court that was a better player and competitor than Bryant. Bryant knows what it takes to win and how much effort and energy it takes to become a world champion.
Recently, via The Herald Sun, Bryant shared some advice for Simmons.
"“He’s got to get a jump shot,’’ Bryant said. “It sounds stupid and all that but I’m dead ass serious.“Because if not, he will regret it when his career is over.’’"
Despite the lack of a jump shot, Simmons has been a dominant player in his first two seasons in the NBA. According to Basketball-Reference, Simmons has made only 30.7 percent of his jump shots in his career. He made 111 out of 358 (31 percent) in his rookie season and thus far this season he has made 49 out of 163 (30.1 percent).
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Despite the lack of a jump shot, Simmons is averaging 16.3 points per game in his career. If he ever improved his jump shot, Simmons would easily average over 20 points per game. His struggles from the foul line, where he is a 57.8 percent career shooter, would also improve his scoring output.
Bryant seems confident that Simmons’ improvement will happen eventually, mentioning fellow Hall of Famer, Jason Kidd, in reference to Simmons. In addition, Bryant was also impressed with what he has accomplished despite the limited offensive arsenal.
"“I think his development will come in shooting obviously,” Bryant added. “At some point he’s got to be able to shoot that ball. Jason Kidd, when he came in the league, wasn’t a great shooter, but he worked to the point where he became one of the best three-point shooters we’ve had in our league in history.“That will be his next progression. That being said, even without that, he’s been able to dominate and take that city of Philadelphia to a place where it hasn’t been in a very long time.”"
This is not the first player that Bryant has offered some advice to since he retired from playing in the NBA. He also worked out with Boston Celtics forward, Jayson Tatum, during the offseason.
Bryant has a wealth of knowledge; he has probably forgotten more basketball information than the regular person learns in their lifetime. He seems more than willing to share some of that information, and anyone that is able to, should take the time out and listen from Bryant, one of the greatest to ever play the game.