Sixers star Ben Simmons admits he has a lot to work on after loss to Hawks
Ben Simmons #BenSimmons
The Philadelphia 76ers had their title dreams end on Sunday as they were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks at home in Game 7. It is a disappointing end to the season after finishing as the No. 1 seed in the East for the first time in 20 years and they were able to get the proper floor spacing around their stars.
However, the Sixers still have a Ben Simmons problem. On Sunday, Simmons only scored five points while taking only four shots in a game that would have sent them to the Eastern Conference finals this season.
He also passed up a wide-open dunk as they looked to get a little closer. He, instead, passed it to Matisse Thybulle for a dunk attempt, but he was fouled.
“I just assumed Gallo (Danilo Gallinari) was coming over my back,” Simmons explained on the play. “Then (John) Collins moved out so I thought Matisse had a wide-open dunk.”
Obviously, things are still fresh right now as the Sixers have to begin picking up the pieces and look toward next season, but Simmons has got to be able to get himself together as they move forward.
“I need to improve on all of it,” said Simmons. “I didn’t shoot well from the line in this series. Offensively, I wasn’t there. I didn’t do enough for my teammates. It’s a lot of things I need to work on.”
Simmons was 1-for-2 from the line on Sunday as it was just a game where he was not aggressive enough when the time called for it.
“I don’t know,” said coach Doc Rivers. “Obviously, he struggled from the free-throw line and that became a factor in this series, there’s no doubt about that. I still believe in him, but we have work to do. We’re gonna have to get in the gym, put a lot of work in, and go forward.”
Rivers was then asked if Simmons can still be the point guard on Philadelphia as they chase a championship. A question to where Rivers answered: “I don’t know the answer to that right now. I don’t know the answer to that.”
This is not the first time that Simmons has come up small in Round 2 of the playoffs. He has, in fact, done it multiple times in his career. At some point, Philadelphia has to decide if they want to keep him and maybe move him to a different position or they want to get rid of him completely.
“I love being in Philly,” said Simmons. “I love this organization. The fans are great, great people. I had a bad series. I expect that. It’s Philly.”
Philadelphia now heads into an offseason facing more questions as they look to continue their championship chase.
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