An old video of the Sixers’ star Ben Simmons resurfaces, shows how the Hack-A-Ben strategy used by the Hawks is not exactly new
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The Philadelphia 76ers lost a game yesterday which they had well within their grasps. After having a lead as high as 26 points, no one expected the Sixers to lose against the Hawks. However, Trae Young and Lou Williams had different plans. An excellent fourth-quarter performance got the Hawks back in the game, and eventually, they won.
The Sixers have to take a long, hard look at quite a few things from yesterday’s game. It could be the bench not performing, other staters not showing up, or Ben Simmons. A key part of the Hawks’ comeback was their Hack-A-Ben strategy, which helped them secure empty defensive possessions. Simmons shot 4-14 from the charity stripe, and those 10 missed free throws essentially cost the Sixers the game.
A 2017 Ben Simmons interview shows how Hack-A-Ben has been around for long
Ben Simmons has never been that good from the charity stripe. This has been an issue all throughout his time in the NBA. A career 59.7% free throw shooter, Simmons had shown signs of improvement in the past two regular seasons. However, during these playoffs, his record from the charity stripe has been disastrous. Simmons is shooting at 32.8% these playoffs. His shooting woes are so bad that they cost the Sixers their chance to sweep the Wizards.
An old interview, dating all the way back to his rookie season, shows how Simmons claimed Hack-a-Ben won’t last long.
Ben Simmons says “Hack-A-Ben” wont last long 🔥🔥
“Its not going to happen for that much longer… Im gonna knock em down”#HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/DppTXls8r9
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 30, 2017
Simmons was shooting 56% from the stripe then, and he did show improvement in the regular seasons, but it wasn’t very significant.
If the Sixers want to survive and force a Game 7, Simmons would have to step up his offense, as well as knock his free throws down. Game 6 against the Hawks takes place tomorrow.
