Former NBA champion Andrew Bogut believes Ben Simmons’ struggles this season are largely down to his fear of taking free throws.
After being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets last year, Simmons finally overcame injury issues to get on the court this season.
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However, the 26-year-old has struggled significantly so far and averages a measly 6.9 points per game, an alarmingly low amount considering he once averaged 16.9 points per game during the 2018/19 season with the Sixers.
But Bogut is convinced it is Simmons’ fear of being hacked and sent to the charity stripe that is preventing him from recapturing the form that made the Aussie star a three-time All-Star.
“I don’t think it’s anything other than he doesn’t want to go to the free throw line. People saying he’s not playing hard or not giving effort or doesn’t look like he wants to be out there – I don’t think it’s any of that,” Bogut told SEN.
“I think it’s as clear as he has the yips at the free throw line. I went through it for a couple of years where you’re shooting the ball bad and it is a lonely place.
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“If he was shooting 60-80% he would be fine, but he does not want to get to the line and the way he plays basketball, a super aggressive guy who gets on the rim.
“You look at his first couple of years in Philly and then look at this current season – when was the last time he tried to dunk on someone? He hasn’t done it this season. He’s scared of getting hit and fouled and getting to the free throw line.
“His biggest issue this off-season isn’t about training or about getting free throws up, it’s going to be working a sports psychologist and trying to get over that hump.
“It’s sad to watch. As a basketball fan I want him to do well, I want him to stick fat and get his mentals right, but it’s hard to watch at the moment.”
The evidence behind Simmons’ free throw slump is damning, with the Nets star converting just 25 from 57, or 43 per cent, of his efforts from the charity stripe.
Simmons will also have an even greater burden to bear now that superstar duo Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been traded to the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks respectively.
