VIDEO: Ben Simmons Was Clearly Irritated When Reporter Asked About His Shooting
By Jerry Trotta
The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Toronto Raptors in an epic Game 7 on Sunday evening, falling in the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive season. The Sixers squad bears a considerable number of flaws (Joel Embiid's health and Jimmy Butler's selfishness), but perhaps the most notable is Ben Simmons' jumper. Check out last season's Rookie of the Year giving a reporter short-sighted answers on his reluctance to shoot in Game 7:
You mad, bro?
In all seriousness, there is no reason for Simmons to treat the reporter with bitterness here. He's simply asking questions NBA pundits and skeptics have been BEGGING to ask since Ben's days at LSU.
And those questions are absolutely justified when you take into account that Simmons committed more turnovers than he attempted field goals in three of the seven games. Not to mention he didn't take a single shot outside the paint during the entire series!
Simmons' shooting isn't just a problem because he's limited as an individual. He's still brilliant enough to pad the stat sheet and help Philly win in other, dynamic fashions. Rather, his limitations are so extreme they hinder the potential of other players on the team, primarily Embiid, who teams are willing to double and rattle while Simmons hangs out on the perimeter.
Truthfully, he should be upset. But, at himself and not the reporter, who was just fulfilling his duty as a journalist.