Ben Simmons is afraid of the free-throw line. He can’t stay on the floor in crunch time.
The Lakers are still in search of a third star to form a “Big Three” with LeBron James and Anthony Davis that will transition to the championship-caliber second star when James presumably leaves in 2023.
Ben Simmons is not that guy. It’s not because he can’t shoot…it’s because he won’t.
His regression on offense cost the 76ers an opportunity for a championship and will hamstring the Lakers for years if they make the move. Simmons entered the league as a player with great passing skills who can attack the basket. His biggest problem was shooting, but it was assumed that hard work would improve that area of his game.
(Checking the calendar) It’s been about five years now. First, the running joke was his reluctance to shoot the 3 pointer. It basically got Brett Brown fired for his inability to reach him. Now it’s news if he will take a simple mid-range jump shot. If he is not on the fast break or in the paint, he won’t shoot.
Now free throws? UGH!
Worst FT% by a player in a single playoff run (min 50 attempts):
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 17, 2021
27.3 — Ben Wallace in 2006
32.8 — Ben Simmons this playoffs
37.3 — DeAndre Jordan in 2016 pic.twitter.com/PLyx2QwG3s
Ben Wallace and DeAndre Jordan were not counted on for their offense for their playoff teams. Ben Simmons is. Confidence is everything in basketball and when a player admits to struggling mentally as Ben has, it’s going downhill rapidly.
A similar situation played out like this back in the 1995 NBA Finals with Nick Anderson of the Orlando Magic. Anderson was one of the important stars along with Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. However, when he missed those four straight free throws in Game 1 of the Finals in crunch time, his confidence was shattered and his career never recovered.
Ben Simmons is going down that road. He is not taking any shots and it throws off the offense. With him on the floor, his team is basically playing four-on-five on offense especially in the last quarter.
Ben Simmons hasn‘t attempted a single shot in the fourth quarter for the last four games …
— Hoop Mixes (@TheHoopsMixes) June 21, 2021
(via: @statmuse) pic.twitter.com/8XXpV0x4ZF
The Los Angeles Lakers can barely afford getting Simmons in at roughly $146 million over the next three years. They CAN’T afford this type of effort (Or lack thereof!) to keep their championship window open!
It’s been five years with no improvements. Why? Well here’s another reason the Lakers should ignore any offers for Ben Simmons. Read on…