The 2019-20 NBA season was supposed to be the year Ben Simmons unleashed his newfound range and began terrorizing defenses from all over the floor.
We’d seen footage of Simmons shooting capably from behind the arc all summer long, and while Simmons regularly warmed up for games by draining threes, it took until November 22nd for Simmons to attempt his first 3-pointer of the regular season. Simmons made that shot, which was the first made three of his career, but he’s still been reticent to shoot, with just two attempts from long range over his next seven games.
On Saturday night in Philadelphia, with the Sixers destroying the overmatched Cavaliers in the first half, Simmons finally made his second three of the year – and the crowd responded as if he had just hit a buzzer-beater in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Assuming the Sixers don’t blow a 41-point lead in the second half, the Sixers will improve to 2-0 in games where Simmons makes a three, and 3-1 in games where Simmons attempts a three. Take more threes, Ben!
