Since being drafted number one overall in this year’s NBA Draft, Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons has made improvements to his body and his game, Simmons tells ESPN’s Mike Mazzeo:
“I’m a lot stronger [now],” said Simmons, who was listed at 240 pounds while at LSU but said Monday that he weighed 217 before the June 23 draft. “I’m at the point where I want to cut down a little bit and play at a nice weight. Physically just being out there, guys are a lot stronger than in college, but I’m also a lot stronger than I was in college, so it’s just about taking hits and bumps or whatever it is and finishing at the rim.”
The key to his weight gain, Simmons says, has been eating well, lifting weights and working hard.
…
“I’ve just got to put in the work and see what happens,” Simmons said. “There’s a lot of things people can say, but if I don’t put in the work, it’s not going to mean anything.”
Simmons, though, has struggled with his jump shot. In six Summer League games, he shot only 32.2 percent.
“I’ve been working on my shot a lot. I can shoot the ball. I’m not really worried about that,” he said.
Simmons brushed off questions about personal goals like winning Rookie of the Year by saying he just wants to work hard and get better every day.
Simmons has all the potential in the world. A 6’10” point forward with incredible court vision and tremendous athletic ability, he has the tools to be one of the best players in the world. While putting on muscle will help him reach that potential, improving his jump shot is the key. He’s exceptionally fast and explosive for his size, and if his opponents have to close out on him at the three-point line, it will be even easier for him to blow by his defenders.
