TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 12: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers stretches before the game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
In his 172nd career NBA game, Ben Simmons finally made his first 3-pointer for the Philadelphia 76ers, ending our long, national nightmare.
There were memes, jokes, pointed criticisms, hot takes, trade rumors, angry Philly sports fans, offseason workout videos, shooting coaches and over two NBA seasons worth of games, and then there it was: Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers finally made a 3-pointer. The historic shot came just under four minutes into Wednesday night’s contest against the New York Knicks. It was Simmons’ first 3-point attempt of the year and just the 18th of his career.
As soon as the shot sank, the Wells Fargo Center erupted and the entire Sixers bench celebrated like they had just won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The lack of an outside shot has continued to hamper Simmons’ development as a true point guard. Through the first 13 games of the season, he had shown an even greater reluctance to shoot. Maybe finally seeing a long-range jumper find the bottom of the net will give Simmons the encouragement he needs to begin chucking.
Simmons nonchalantly turned up court and did not acknowledge his handiwork after the fact. Despite his hesitancy to shoot, his jumper has looked better in the videos that have trickled out of his camp. The reports that he is stroking it from long range during pregame shootarounds also continue. The Sixers just have to keep encouraging him to shoot with confidence.
Of course, the Internet was ablaze as soon as the long drought ended.
Everything is better with the Titanic music.
History is history.
Same, my guy.
It has been a choppy start to the season for the Sixers, who entered the year with title-or-bust expectations. Their offense has looked stagnant at times without a point guard capable of pulling up from anywhere on the court. That could be about to change, though, if Simmons gives himself the green light to launch jumpers any time an opponent sags off him.