Why Portland Trail Blazers Are Ben Simmons’ Best Landing Spot
The Portland Trail Blazers need a shake-up. The team has been eliminated from the postseason in the first round in four of the last five years, which led to the dismissal of head coach Terry Stotts.
With Chauncey Billups taking over as head coach, it is time for the front office also to shake up the roster. Landing a player of Ben Simmons’s caliber would be an excellent addition to the roster.
Simmons’ offensive shortcomings have been well documented. His struggles are one of the reasons the Philadelphia 76ers have been unable to get over the hump, but in Portland, he would be put in a better position offensively near the rim. Portland could deploy him as a wing or frontcourt player, getting him in position for easy shots at the rim and not meandering out on the perimeter.
Damian Lillard is an excellent pairing for Simmons should he play backcourt minutes because he is an elite offensive player. Having that kind of explosive scorer is exactly what Simmons needs next to him in the backcourt.
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Simmons’ strengths are currently weaknesses for Portland as well. His playmaking would help take the offense to another level, allowing Lillard to play off the ball and beat defenses in other ways. He is an elite rebounder, but it is his defense which Portland needs more.
Portland finished last season with a positive rating, but that is only because their offense was elite. They had the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA behind only the Sacramento Kings, and Simmons would improve that.
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Simmons is a weapon defensively, as he can shift effortlessly around the lineup. Need him to stifle a guard on the perimeter? He can handle that. Are you in a pinch with a big man in trouble? No problem, Simmons can play frontcourt minutes as well.
That impact defensively is what the Trail Blazers ultimately need to get over the hump and bring the team to that next level.
