Some analysts are calling Ben Simmons to be traded by the Philadelphia 76ers after struggling offensively in the second round series against the Atlanta Hawks. The 24-year-old point guard averaged just 9.9 points over those seven games.
Four times in the Hawks series, he finished with less than ten points (4, 8, 6 and 5). A major issue for Simmons was free throws. He made just 32.7% of his free-throws, which was almost half of his regular season numbers. Despite the above, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers is confident that the point guard can improve over the summer.
“I’m very bullish on Ben still, but there’s work to do. There is, and Ben will be willing to do it. That’s the key. Sometimes you have to go through stuff to see it and be honest with it. Obviously, what Ben just experienced and went through, I can’t imagine that,” Rivers said, per Kyle Neubeck.
“I believe we know what the right work is and the right way to do it (with Ben Simmons this off-season). After being here for a year, I believe we have identified the what and how. … We’re not hiding that Ben has to be a more confident free throw shooter,” Rivers added, per Tom Moore.
