Predictions for a big Philadelphia 76ers 2019-20 season

3. Ben Simmons to hit his first regular-season 3-pointer

Named an All-Star for the first time last season, the next step in Ben Simmons’ ascension lies in his ability to consistently hit a perimeter shot. And more specifically, nail his first career 3-pointer.

Thus far, Simmons has been unsuccessful in all 17 of his attempts from long range, with nine of these essentially half-court heaves. Given his’ undeniable gifts and his ability to contribute in so many other areas, much attention has been paid to Simmons’ clear lack of conviction in attempting to shoot from the outside.

Recently, Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand made note of the work Simmons has put in over the offseason:

"“He’s worked hard at it. And we support Ben, we believe in Ben. We want him to shoot and he’s going to shoot. And he’s going to shoot the right shots — that’s what’s important to me. Just developing, it’s a team effort. So if he’s open from a corner 3, I expect him to let it fly, and from what I’ve seen, I expect it to go in. “Not to put pressure on him, but he’s worked, and he’s built for that. He’s worked his butt off all summer long.”"

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1178761102273974278?s=20

Additionally, head coach Brett Brown also recently commented on the pressure facing Simmons to add a jump shot to his repertoire:

"“For me, it starts here and here first, completely: the willingness to shoot. The time that he has invested over the course of this summer is the best by a longshot that he ever has. … His confidence that I saw when he came back to Philadelphia and played in our gym over the past few weeks just stood out. “"

Clearly, it hasn’t taken long for Simmons to get his head around this aspect of his game. In the Sixers’ first preseason game, a blowout 144-88 win over the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association, Simmons launched and connected on his first career 3-pointer, albeit in a preseason setting:

Naturally with this confidence instilled, the natural next step of taking this into the regular season will certainly be on the minds of Simmons and his Sixers’ teammates. Given the reaction of his teammates following the triple, this could be sooner rather than later.

If this can somehow become a staple of his game in the near future, the Sixers’ outlook will be even scarier than it already is.