Brett Brown Says The Ben Simmons And Markelle Fultz Tandem Needs Better ‘Shooting And Spacing’


Getty Image

There have been a few reasons for optimism about how things are going with Markelle Fultz in Philadelphia. However, there are still major concerns about his ability to shoot the basketball. This is something that can be hidden, but there’s a problem: One of the Sixers’ biggest stars, Ben Simmons, also isn’t much of a shooter. Put them on the floor together and you have a problem, as Philly’s offense is just not good when the pair play together.

For Sixers coach Brett Brown, this is a problem, one that has a simple solution: The two of them need to be better at “shooting and spacing” the floor.


As is often the case with identifying a solution to a problem, though, it is much easier to say this than it is for it to, you know, happen. Simmons isn’t a particularly strong shooter and never really has been, but when he’s surrounded by players who can space the floor, he is an excellent 1-on-1 basketball player whose skillset in a 6’11 frame makes him incredibly difficult to guard. Fultz, meanwhile, is still trying to figure out his jumper after his bizarre rookie campaign, and Brown ostensibly believes the best way for him to get to that point is to build his confidence and let him get reps.

Neither of these are particularly bad things, but putting them together has led to teams understanding that they don’t have to worry about Philly’s free-flowing offense. Instead, opponents can pack it in and dare the two to shoot, which doesn’t just put the two of them in weird situations, it gives Joel Embiid less room to operate down low. It’s worked out well so far for the team’s opponents, as Fultz is connection on 30.8 percent of the 1.2 threes he attempts per game, while Simmons hasn’t attempted a triple yet this season.

Of course, there are things the Sixers could use that could help give their offense more firepower, namely Dario Saric finding his shot and Wilson Chandler getting fully healthy and incorporated into the rotation, but having the Simmons-Fultz pairing get into a rhythm would be a gigantic boost. If that doesn’t happen, though, it might be worth wondering if getting J.J. Redick back into the starting lineup and generally limiting the amount of time Fultz and Simmons play together is the best course of action, even if that might not be ideal for a team that is hoping those two can help carry the franchise into the future.

×