Ben Simmons has been criticised for not being aggressive on the offensive end and avoiding to take shots. The former number one draft pick is averaging 5.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. On averaged he is taking 5 shots per game.
Some have speculated that the 26-year-old point guard is afraid to take shots due to a mental block. However, according to Brian Windhorst’s sources, there is another reason why Simmons is not taking more shots.
“The scouts who have been dispatched to watch Ben Simmons closely — and there have been a lot early in the season — believe the reason that Ben Simmons doesn’t go aggressive isn’t because he’s afraid of missing the shot as much as he’s afraid of being fouled,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s NBA Today.
“He’s only taken 9 free-throws the entire season so far. He’s only made three of them. When you look at Kyrie telling him to shoot, he was in a position there where he was very likely to be fouled. He’s not afraid necessarily missing the shot.”
Windhorst also revealed that the scouts had an impression that Simmons appears to be relieved when he fouls out of the game which is concerning for the Nets.
