Sixers

Sixers Fans Should Feel Good About This Ben Simmons Quote

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Oct 16th, 2019 · 3:49 PM EDT

---

Ben Simmons didn’t play last night, so he didn’t shoot a jump shot.

But he was still asked about the shot today, for the 500th time, during practice over in Camden.

Difference this time is that he gave a rather thoughtful response instead of just brushing the question off and calling it dumb:

A very honest Ben Simmons: “I’m confident in saying I’m not a great shooter.” pic.twitter.com/mZmcJwgfRm

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 16, 2019

Simmons:

“It’s not that I don’t need to do it, it’s just something that I’m working towards getting better as a player. As you would do as a writer. Everybody works to get better. Him, behind the camera, he wasn’t the best the first day he started. That’s just my game. I’m confident saying that I’m not a great shooter. I’m getting better though, but it’s a game, there’s five people on the court. I lack something that I’m not as great at, but in other areas I’m very great at. I run the floor as well as anybody, physical, can rebound the ball at 6’10”, I’m a point guard, I can guard one through five. That’s just one thing that’s coming into my game (the shot), which I’m excited about. I love getting better. I love spending time in the gym.”

It’s the most mature and self-aware thing I’ve ever heard Ben Simmons say. It’s a quote that reveals a lot, honestly, about his mindset heading into a new season and how he handles outside noise from media and fans. It’s something that you as a Sixers fan should feel really good about, because it’s a side of Ben that rarely, if ever, comes out.