Ben Simmons has been one of the worst postseason free throw shooters ever and these stats prove it
Ben Simmons has never been the greatest free throw shooter in the world. For his career, he shoots just 60% from the line.
But he’s been SO bad at it in the postseason. Like, incredibly bad. To the point where he’s had to be taken off the floor at times bad.
And, look. It’s fine to be a bad free throw shooter. Every player isn’t good at everything. And that’s OK! Ben Simmons’ thing is shooting. He’s still an awesome player.
But that’s actively hurt the Sixers in the playoffs to the point where it was one of the main fulcrums for the Hawks’ 26-point comeback win on Wednesday. And that’s not good.
He’s a 60% free throw shooter for his career, which is obviously not great. But he’s somehow regressed in these playoffs to an all-time bad shooter.
He’s shooting 32% (!!!!!) from the line in the playoffs. That’s bad. Like, historically bad. It’s one of the worst postseason marks ever.
Only Ben Wallace has a worse playoff run, per StatMuse.
Worst FT% by a player in a single playoff run (min 50 attempts):
27.3 — Ben Wallace in 2006
32.8 — Ben Simmons this playoffs
37.3 — DeAndre Jordan in 2016 pic.twitter.com/PLyx2QwG3s— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 17, 2021
One more fun fact: Did you know that Ben Simmons has missed more free throws in this playoff run than Steve Nash did in the postseason for his entire career?
Ben Simmons has missed more free throws this year in the playoffs than Steve Nash missed in the playoffs in his entire career.
Ben has shot 67 FTs. Steve Nash shot 440.
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) June 17, 2021
He’s also missed more free throws than three teams in the postseason.
Free throws missed, 2020 playoffs:
Ben Simmons, 45
Atlanta Hawks, 35
Phoenix Suns, 29
Brooklyn Nets, 22Simmons is also the first player this season – regular or playoffs – to miss 10 in a game, after going 4 for 14 tonight.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 17, 2021
YIKES, man. That’s…not good. In fact, it’s very bad. Ben Simmons has left 45 points on the table for the 76ers. And that’s tough to overcome, to say the least. The Hawks are up 3-2 because of it.
The series isn’t over. But Simmons has to be better. And these free throw struggles? They’ve got to stop.
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