Hoops Habit
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The 4 most scrutinized players in the NBA right now

By Luke Duffy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 21, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Rockets 121-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 21, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Rockets 121-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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3. Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons, like Booker before him, is both a victim of his situation and also his desire to not conform to what a basketball player in 2020 should be, and he receives a lot of stick for it. Unlike the Suns, the Philadelphia 76ers are a contender in the East, and this is largely because of what Simmons can do for them on the court.

He’s a point guard in a center’s body, and his passing and defensive ability make him an ideal star to build around. Unfortunately for Simmons however, he plays alongside Joel Embiid who is a larger personality who the fans gravitate towards more, sketchy injury history be damned. If fans had to choose one, most would go with Embiid.

They don’t have to choose, however. Yet any time things aren’t going well with the 76ers, who are coached by Brett Brown, by the way, this question comes up and the name of Simmons gets mentioned in trade pieces. This despite having a game that is reminiscent of Magic Johnson in a number of ways.

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The lack of 3-point shooting is what grates on people, who point towards what he could be if he only learned how to shoot from deep more frequently. When he made one earlier this season, Twitter went into meltdown, and perhaps Simmons should be less stubborn in his refusal to take more long-distance shots.

But he does so many other things well, that the criticism of his game that he receives is unjust. When things are going well, Embiid typically gets the credit. This despite the fact Simmons has carried them without his running mate when Embiid has been injured. When it gets rocky then Simmons gets more of the grief.

Imagine him playing for any other team in the East that isn’t in the playoff conversation. They automatically jump into a scrap for a postseason spot, and they would have something to build around too. Imagine how beloved he’d be in New York, or how he’d bring hope in Charlotte. Instead, his unique game (16.7 points and 8.2 assists this season while defending at an elite level is not bad by the way) is put under a microscope more often than it should be.