“But I’m an All-Star,” Ben Simmons said when asked if he’s ever made a 3-point shot in an NBA game. That statement came after he said: “You’re right, I haven’t.”
But the question wasn’t whether Simmons was an NBA All-Star (he is), it was about his 3-point shooting. (Hey at least it wasn’t about his free throw shooting, which at 58.3% often causes him to be unavailable to handle the ball at the end of close games.)
Sure James Harden, Steph Curry and Damian Lillard are draining 3-pointers from the parking lot these days, stretching the defense and changing the game. But Ben Simmons plays a big man point guard more like Magic Johnson, who also wasn’t a 3-point guy. Still, Simmons doesn’t need to tell people he’s an All-Star — it’s no secret.
What the fans are wondering is can he expand his game and bring more weapons? That’s what Michael Jordan did, further developing his jumper and turnaround to go from being an All-Star early in his career (like Simmons) to being a 6-time NBA Finals MVP later.
That’s why people want to know about Simmons and his 3-pointer progress — it’s not about where he’s been but about where he might go next. It’s because he’s an All-Star that they want to know.
