Report: 76ers discussed Ben Simmons changing shooting hands

With the annoyance of “hack-a” strategies not likely to let up, the Philadelphia 76ers may turn up efforts to ask Ben Simmons to change shooting hands.

After sitting out all of last season, Ben Simmons has basically been as advertised for the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s averaging 18.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in 19 games this season, as an early front runner for Rookie of the Year.

On Wednesday night against the Washington Wizards, Simmons had 31 points, a career-high 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. But he set an NBA record with 24 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter, making half of them as he finished 15-for-29 from the line for the game.

Simmons is shooting just over 55 percent from the line this season, so the “Hack-A-Ben” strategy late in close games is not going to go away. Something has to change, perhaps beyond spending extra time working on free throws, and the 76ers may revisit something they apparently considered a year ago.

Simmons shot just 67 percent from the line during his lone season at LSU, so struggles in that area are nothing new for him. He also hardly shoots 3-pointers, with zero makes in eight attempts this season and three attempts (one make) during his one season in college. So some progress in both areas, if only for confidence purposes, looks necessary for Simmons to fulfill his potential and reach the superstar status that was somewhat pre-ordained to him as the No. 1 overall pick in 2016.

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Making a change in shooting hands is something that may also be on the 76ers’ radar with Markelle Fultz, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, due in part to a right shoulder injury. Simmons is a different case, with no injury-forced adjustment, but it’s still a drastic change with the long-term in mind above any short-term kinks.