Ben Simmons was named as the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year last season after taking the NBA by storm. He averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game in his debut campaign and showed that he's a real superstar in the making. The Aussie played a major role in helping the Philadelphia 76ers secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2012. With his production, they were able to surprise many people by winning 52 games as well as reaching the second round in the postseason. But despite his terrific year, Simmons took criticism for his lack of confidence in shooting the ball. 

Big weakness

The 22-year-old didn't attempt a single three-pointer throughout the season and very rarely looked to hit a jump shot. 

It's the one glaring weakness in his game and that was exploited by the Boston Celtics in the playoffs as they cut off his drives to the basket and dared him to make a shot. 

In a Game 2 loss, he put up just one point as the Celtics defence successfully stifled him and he was roundly ridiculed on social media for his performance. 

But the young point guard is aware that he has to improve in this area and he's taking steps to add this weapon to his game this summer. 

“For me last season, I was trying to do what I was really good at – facilitating, getting guys involved, getting to the rim, and obviously making plays,” said Simmons, per Brian Seltzer of the Sixers’ official website.

The former LSU product shot just 56 percent from the free-throw line and became a 'Hack-a-Shaq' target.

“You’ve got to start slowly,” said Simmons. “If it’s adding a free throw that gets up to 80.0 percent, that’s about five more points right there.

"If you add little things and keep adding over time, that’s how you become great.”

“If you take [jump shots], [teams] give you a little bit more respect, and you’re able to make more moves and dissect the defence.

“This summer, I’ve been working a lot on certain things that I’ll definitely use.”

In a recent video he uploaded on Instagram, he showed how he's developing his jump shot as he was knocking them down confidently.

He also put his all-around game on display in a pickup game in Los Angeles last week as he dominated his opponents on the court. 

Simmons looks determined to take that next step and it should bode well for the 76ers as they have ambitions to compete for a championship.

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