Hoops TV: Ben Simmons’ jump shot critics should just sit back and enjoy his magic

GET off Ben Simmons’s back. That is the emphatic message to Simmons’ jump shot critics from NBL expert and historian Matt McQuade, who likens the Aussie’s early career to that of Magic Johnson’s.

GET off Ben Simmons’s back.

That is the emphatic message to Simmons’ jump shot critics according to NBL expert and historian Matt McQuade.

Simmons picked up where he left off last season with a strong opening game against the Celtics in Boston.

The reigning Rookie of the Year almost picked up a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists.

He also produced a few special plays, including a perfectly-timed overhead pass for guard Markelle Fultz to score.

Ben Simmons takes a jumper during the warm up. Picture: AFP

Despite his star performance, Simmons has attracted criticism for his failure to make a three-point shot.

The 76ers star also finished with 45.5% shooting from 5/11 from the field.

These statistics have prompted some NBA experts to claim Simmons can’t be considered a great until he develops a consistent jump shot.

But McQuade doesn’t agree and has urged hoops fans to lay off the gifted Australian as he isn’t the only top-level player in NBA history to struggle from range in the infancy of a career.

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“The outside shooting with Ben, I’m getting a bit sick of the narrative and I’ll tell you why,” McQuade told Hoops Central.

“The one guy I’ve always compared Ben to from the first time I saw him in a game in Newcastle against a Waratah All-Star team was Magic Johnson.

“Magic is the greatest point guard in NBA history and at very least a top five player in NBA history.

“I looked up Magic’s first six or seven seasons and looked at his three point stats and he hardly took any threes and the ones he attempted he hardly made.

“Magic was a terrible jump shooter for the first seven or eight years of his career.

“I understand the argument that how can you be great if you don’t have an outside shot but Magic is a legend and he never had an outside shot.

“But this is year two for Ben – so get off his back.”

McQuade wants basketball fans to sit back and enjoy Simmons and his scintillating skillset.

Magic Johnson didn’t develop his jumper until season six. Picture: Allsport

“If you can’t appreciate what you saw against Boston, then I don’t know,” he said.

“That pass to Fultz – I just thought - that is Magic.

“Then the between the legs for that Joel Embiid trailing dunk – you just shake your head in wonder.

“Ben is a transcendent ball player – he is remarkable in every way.

“It is his second season and he is only going to get better.

“Forget the outside shooting, get off his back and just enjoy what this young man brings to the table.”

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Originally published as Hoops TV: Ben Simmons’ jump shot critics should just sit back and enjoy his magic