Section 215
Fansided

76ers need Ben Simmons to move out of comfort zone by shooting more

By Dan Parzych

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 04: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the 76ers 114-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 04: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the 76ers 114-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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If the Philadelphia 76ers truly want to be a top contender in the Eastern Conference, Ben Simmons needs to step up.

Thanks to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid receiving an upgraded starting lineup in the offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers were rightfully considered one of the early favorites to finish on top of the Eastern Conference during the 2019-20 season.

And while this could very well still end up being the case, the Sixers have made it clear they have plenty of work to do, especially when it comes to getting Simmons to shoot the basketball more.

Plenty of factors came into play for Philadelphia last season when they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals to the Toronto Raptors, but it was difficult not to wonder how different things could have been if Simmons was an effective shooter.

Simmons obviously brings plenty of other great skills to the table outside of shooting, but as far as wanting to be a top contender within the conference is concerned, developing a reliable jump shot could be the key difference maker.

Even Embiid recently discussed how he and his teammates encourage Simmons to shoot the basketball more to help put the Sixers in better position to win important games.

After starting off the regular season on high note with a 5-0 record, Philadelphia has lost five of their last eight games heading into Wednesday’s meeting with the New York Knicks, meaning the pressure is on with the start of December right around the corner.

Whatever Simmons needs to do to branch out of his comfort zone to begin shooting more for the Sixers, this needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Otherwise, Philadelphia will only continue to dig a deeper hole in the Eastern Conference, and it certainly doesn’t help their case that both the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are ahead of the them in the Atlantic Standings.

The lack of shooting by Simmons certainly doesn’t deserve the entire blame for what has been going on with the Sixers in recent weeks since there are plenty of other frustrating factors that come into play.

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But since the shooting seemed like it could have made a huge difference in the playoffs last season, here’s to hoping that Simmons finds a way to elevate his level of play in the department to help put Philadelphia in better shape before it’s too late.