Ben Simmons' career in the NBA is currently in question. Once considered one of the best players in the league, Simmons has become a bench player at best. The 29-year-old has dealt with injuries, but his performance on the floor has also seen a decline. A three-time All-Star, Simmons most recently appeared in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers.
One concern with Simmons' game is his lack of a three-point shot. Most players in today's NBA can shoot the three-ball. It's never been part of Simmons' game, however. In fact, he has only attempted 36 total three-point shots for his career. Patrick Beverley believes Simmons may have been able to implement a three-point shot if he had landed with a team such as the Charlotte Hornets as opposed to the Philadelphia 76ers to begin his career.
"If he would have went to a Charlotte to start without all of the hard backlash that he got from fans, media and all that, he probably would have had a three," Beverley said of Simmons.
Philadelphia features a passionate fanbase. The fans are not afraid to let struggling players hear their displeasure when things aren't going well. Many players have failed to find consistency in big markets such as Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles. Beverley believes that Simmons would have benefitted from a smaller market such as Charlotte.
However, Simmons did find success early in his career with the 76ers. He was a Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star. Despite not shooting the three-ball, the guard was able to make a significant impact on both ends of the floor.
It seems as if Beverley is making the point that there is added attention in Philadelphia. If Simmons were to consistently work on a three-point shot, he may have been ridiculed in a big market. Perhaps Beverley believes implementing the three-ball in Charlotte would have been easier due to the element of less media attention.
It's a point that will lead to various arguments. Some may agree, while others will suggest that Simmons was always going to struggle to find a three-point shot. Either way, there is no denying the fact that Simmons was once one of the best players in the league. His career has not gone according to plan in recent years, though.
Ben Simmons is currently a free agent. It remains to be seen if he will receive an opportunity in the NBA during the 2025-26 season.