Ben Simmons: Taller and Better than Michael Carter Williams?
It is undeniable that Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons is supremely talented and belongs on the basketball court. The seven-foot-tall guard has the ability to run in transition like a gazelle, defends players as if they’re in a black hole, and has the playmaking ability of a supreme point guard. Simmons has shown these abilities throughout his career but hasn’t shown major improvement statistically throughout his career in any facet of his game. His inability and reluctance to introduce a jump shot into his offensive arsenal has led to stagnation in his game and often leads to Simmons standing around on offense, leading to stagnation on that side of the court. This stagnation leads to easier defensive possessions for opposing teams, thus making it harder to find consistency on offense.
Simmons missed his first year due to a Jones Fracture in his foot that took longer to heal than originally predicted. The next season, his true rookie year, Simmons exploded on the NBA scene, playing eighty-one games, while averaging sixteen points, eight rebounds and eight assists on .545 field goal percentage. Simmons won Rookie of the Year for his great production during the 2017-2018 season, which brings to mind a former Rookie of the Year for the 76ers, Michael Carter-Williams (MCW).
When not surrounded by talent, Simmons hasn’t shown he can lead a team as the number one option. (Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports)
While Simmons is emphatically more talented than Carter-Williams there are parallels that can’t be ignored. Both players are relegated to standing around on offense when the game is slowed down, but in transition, both are wizards at running the court and either scoring or finding a teammate who can score. Both players are gifted on the defensive side of the floor and are far from liabilities. These two also seem to wither when they are not surrounded by talent that exceeds theirs or is equal to it.
For instance, when Simmons was asked to play without co-star Joel Embiid he only averaged 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game on 41% shooting from the field. These numbers are a departure from Simmons’ usual efficiency from this year and show that when Simmons is not surrounded by players who can compliment him well, he flounders.
One questions Simmons’ ability to sustain his career without developing his offensive game more.(Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)
It would be a stretch to say these two are identical as Simmons is a defender of the highest level who can rim run and pass with skills that reminds one of other tall point guards such as Shaun Livingston or Penny Hardaway. Simmons’ refusal to add a jump shot to his game will always lead more to be desired as he limits himself and his team’s offensive ability in a league where a jump shot is the most valuable skill to have in today’s game. While Carter-Williams and Simmons are probably far apart in terms of career paths, the comparison can’t be denied and one must wonder if Simmons will be able to sustain his game as he gets older and teams figure out how to better defend him.
