Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers might need to separate.
This marriage just seems to have run its course.
Another year of title hopes has gone down the drain.
This season was supposed to be different.
Doc Rivers was coming in to change the culture and showcase a team where the two superstars can play with one another.
However, the 76ers have one true superstar in Joel Embiid.
Simmons might have the potential, but he has not reached it at all.
The regression on offense is alarming and it truly cost the 76ers a golden opportunity for a championship.
One play that will never go away for the remainder of his career is when he refused to score on a potential open dunk.
Ben Simmons did not just pass this up… pic.twitter.com/4JyM7ZHNkJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 21, 2021
This team has had multiple chances, but maybe it is time to cut your losses.
Simmons is a very good player with impressive accolades in his young career.
However, his desire for getting better has to be in question.
Teams might want to trade for Simmons, but most teams should steer clear from him.
Here is why.
He Refuses To Get Better
Simmons entered the league as a player with great passing skills who can attack the basket.
His biggest problem was shooting.
He was a very poor shooter, but we assumed that since he was a young player, he would work on his game.
That has not been the case in five years.
In fact, he has regressed.
The 76ers should trade Ben Simmons. They will never win a championship with him.
Ben Simmons hasn’t gotten any better since he arrived as a rookie. pic.twitter.com/WOaMQbfvme
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 21, 2021
Shooting threes is what some people wanted in the beginning.
It has turned into simple mid-range jump shots that he refuses to take.
If he is not in the paint, he will not take the shot.
You cannot play in the NBA like that as a point guard.
One of his biggest strengths was attacking the basket.
Now that strength has become an afterthought.
He is terrified to get fouled and miss free throws.
This postseason was depressing as he became the worst free-throw shooter in playoff history.
Worst FT% by a player in a single playoff run (min 50 attempts):
27.3 — Ben Wallace in 2006
32.8 — Ben Simmons this playoffs
37.3 — DeAndre Jordan in 2016 pic.twitter.com/PLyx2QwG3s— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 17, 2021
He is regressing before our eyes.
The talent is there, but the game is declining.
You Can’t Teach Heart
Simmons has admitted that he is struggling mentally with all of this.
That is part of it, but a lot of it can be due to his lack of heart.
Simmons has had struggles for five years.
None of those struggles have gotten slightly better.
He is not missing shots.
He is not taking any shots.
The effort is not there.
Getting better should be the goal every offseason.
However, that goal is not on his agenda.
The team was constantly needing help in the fourth quarter, but he never tried to show up for the squad.
Ben Simmons hasn‘t attempted a single shot in the fourth quarter for the last four games …
(via: @statmuse) pic.twitter.com/8XXpV0x4ZF— Statline – Basketball & NBA News (@statline_) June 21, 2021
We have seen the social media videos of him supposedly getting better.
The season starts and none of that is put on display.
Great talent can get you into the league and even bring some success.
A hard work ethic can bring even more success.
Simmons seems content with where he is at in his development.
Teams should not want a guy that is worried about image over winning.
NEXT: Is Ben Simmons Really To Blame For 76ers Woes?