Shane Heal remains doubtful after Ben Simmons’ viral three-pointer

He’s been tipped as the saviour of Philadelphia after going viral last week. But one Aussie great is holding his tongue with Ben Simmons.

The emotion following Ben Simmons sinking his first three pointer for Philadelphia last week was palpable.

With one swift flick of the wrist against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions, the 23-year-old put to bed the swath of internet memes flooding the internet ever since his early days on court for the Sixers.

No longer was the Aussie export the laughing stock of the league.

Despite the $240 million star’s horrendous 0 from 18 record in the actual NBA, predictions of a big season for Simmons beyond the paint quickly rolled in.

“I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again: if Ben Simmons develops a jump shot, the 76ers will win the NBA title,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said.

But former Boomers star Shane Heal, who has been a longtime supporter of the Aussie’s USA campaign, isn’t bouncing out of his seat just yet.

“The biggest talking point (for the NBA season ahead) is Ben Simmons, who just does not shoot threes,” he said. “Now he’s finally made a three in a pre-season game, people are talking about how many he’ll make in the season ... I don’t think he’ll make more than 10.”

The Melbourne-born Simmons said it was just the result of working on his game in the off-season. “I work every day so it shows,” he told reporters after Philly downed the Lions in a 144-86 massacre. “I’m in the gym every day putting in work so I feel like it’s paying off.”

Sixers coach Brett Brown was also nonchalant about the internet-breaking affair, saying it takes more than one viral three to win a season.

Brown, who has repeatedly faced questions about Simmons’ reluctance to shoot, described the breakthrough three-pointer as “really nothing”.

“He made a shot, good, and that’s kind of the extent of it from me,” Brown said. “I think the whole thing is so overblown. I think in general, it’s so inflated the attention, and that’s what I think. He’s young, and we got a long season.”

Simmons is yet to hit a triple in his NBA career and hasn’t made one in a regular season game since November 30, 2015, when he scored against Charleston while at LSU. That was the only made three of his college career.

Talk of jumpshots aside, Brown said he believes Simmons has a high ceiling to reach at the defensive end.

“It’s hugely important and we understand it, especially (during the post-season),” Brown said of Simmons shooting more 3s this season. “We have to set the stage.

“But my centre point, where I see the world with him, is I think he can be the best defensive player in the NBA.”

This one’s going straight to the pool room.