Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons has been the point of discussion in the NBA for the last few years. However, the Australian star player is away from the limelight now and is seen practising hard to improve his weaknesses. He has released some videos of his workout and the biggest highlight was he was seen working on his jump shots, an area where he has struggled very much in recent times.
Only time will tell if the Aussie star’s offseason workout will get translated into the game or not. However, fans are not convinced as they have seen him do these drills earlier as well. But whenever he steps on the field he seems to lose the plot.
Former three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas explains Simmons’s issue with the jump shot. He reveals that he has seen Simmons practice the jump shot and always used to wonder why doesn’t he shoot like this during matches. Arenas has realized that the length of the NBA court is much bigger than the practice court which creates the difference for Simmons.
“I’ve seen him workout probably 10, 12 times, and I’m trying to figure out, ‘Yo, why you don’t shoot like (this in games)?’” Arenas said. “When he’s shooting 3s, perfect form, everything. … It might be perception. When he gets on the NBA court, the court is bigger than that practice court. You can see the wall, you can see how far it is. I think when he gets into the NBA game, the depth perception is hard.”
The veteran also added that it is common for NBA stars to look extremely good in practices but fail miserably in matches. “If you got to a practice, if you go to any practice, there’s a Michael Jordan, there’s a Kobe Bryant in practice,” he said. “He just can’t turn it on in the game.”
However, Simmons in a recent interview with Andscape’s Marc J. Spears shared how he is not the same player he was last season. He also spoke about his expectations with the Brooklyn Nets in the upcoming season.
“For me to come back and dominate people will be great,” Simmons said.
“I don’t intend to come back the same player I was last (season) because that’s not even close to where I am. I get excited because I’m like, ‘Damn, I would s**t on the player I was last year.’”
The Australian highlights how people made fun of his back injury while it had a massive effect on his performances. “I don’t think people realize how bad it was in terms of physically how I was feeling and what I was able to do on the floor,” Simmons said.
It will be interesting to see how the Australian star makes his way to the top once again as he returns as a different player in the upcoming season with full fitness.
