Former NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas has come up with an interesting theory on why Ben Simmons can’t shoot.
The Brooklyn Nets star was drafted No. 1 overall in 2016 and has been named to three All-Star teams, as well as two All-Defensive First teams since going pro. However, he can’t seem to get his shot going and has only attempted 35 threes in over 300 games.
That would have been fine as is, but Simmons struggles to shoot from basically anywhere on the court and infamously passed up a dunk attempt out of fear he’d get fouled and then have to shoot free throws in a playoff game for the Philadelphia 76ers a few seasons ago. That spelled the end for him in Philly and he’s now plying his trade for the Nets.
Arenas seems to believe he knows what’s going on with Ben. And, speaking to Julian Edelman and Sam Morrill on the Games With Names podcast, he theorized that the point guard is simply too fast for his own good.
“I sat there and just watched him and I’m looking at his form, looking at his feet and I’m like ‘what the hell is going on with you, why isn’t it translating to the game?’ There’s a certain type of player that just can’t shoot and it’s because of their speed,” Arenas explained.
“They’re too fast! It sounds like a weird thing but they’re too fast. If you go through recent history, Jason Kidd – super fast, couldn’t shoot, you’ve got your Westbrooks, you know…They have too much speed and torque so when you try and stop and pull up, it messes up everything.”
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Arenas also admitted he’d have loved to play with Simmons, but for very selfish reasons.
“He just doesn’t do what he can’t do. If he can’t do it, he’s just not gonna do it,” he said. “Now I would love playing with a guy who really doesn’t want to shoot like that. A guy who’s just gonna give me the ball the whole time!! Can’t say anything bad about that!”
While Arenas might be onto something, there’s no defending the lack of effort on Simmons’ part. Plus, can you really compare him to a Jason Kidd or Russell Westbrook?
Sure, they aren’t spectacular shooters, but likening them to Ben Simmons could be considered an insult.
