Sixers News: Barkley Says Jump Shot Will Push Simmons In Company Of Legends

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers is undoubtedly one of the future stars of the NBA. Only 23, there are plenty of things he needs to work on -- particularly developing a decent jump shot. Critics have repeatedly singled this out and now a former Sixer and NBA legend has joined the call -- Charles Barkley.

The Round Mound admitted recently to The Athletic that he was a big fan of Simmons. He sees the 23-year-old player rising to the ranks of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan but stressed that owning a good jump shot is needed.

“I’m a big Ben Simmons fan. And I want him to do like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. Keep working on his game, become a very good shooter, because if he keeps working on his jump shot, he’s going to be one of the best to ever do it,” Barkley said.

There is no telling how well Simmons has progressed as far as his shooting is concerned. A glimpse of that could be seen next season with the Sixers. If the top pick of the 2016 NBA Draft wants to reach the level of all-time greats, adding a jump shot is a must. Only time will tell as to when he can finally show this off. Failure to do so could be costly to his rise to greatness.

Back in July, videos of Simmons raining three-pointers in Las Vegas made its round on Instagram. He was making actual three-pointers in the actual game-type environment, something that could be a glimpse of things to come.

Of course, playing in the NBA will be different. Opposing teams know how Simmons loves to drive to the basket and likely let him shoot from afar. Hence, the first thing he needs to do is prove he can shoot from the outside and consecutively. Harsh as it may seem, he will need to earn the respect of opposing teams in defending him whether this is far or near the basket.

Adding an outside shot not only helps evolve Simmons' game but broadens what he can do on the basketball court. Aside from scoring, he can dish off to open teammates or drive towards the basket once his defender is caught flatfooted. One can only think of Johnson and Jordan, two NBA legends who could do damage both inside and outside the paint.