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Dwight Howard defends his 11-year-old junior teammate.
Philadelphia 76ers big man Howard took to Instagram Live this week defending teammate Ben Simmons. All-Star Simmons has been criticized during Philadelphia’s second round series against Atlanta, particularly for his inability to take free throws as the Hawks intentionally know it.
Everyone’s talking about Ben. Leave him alone, Howard said, according to John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Send him some positivity instead of saying how bad you think he is. None of you have played in the NBA. Sit down with your buttocks down.
I believe in you, Ben, Howard added. I don’t care how many free throws you miss. I still believe in you. Keep saying what they want from my teammate. You are my doggon brother. I will fight you. I’ll bite your ear.
The Sixers currently lag Atlanta 3-2 in the series after losing a 26-point lead in the second half of Game 5. Simmons’ offensive numbers against the Hawks have indeed been pretty ugly. He’s averaging just 11.6 points per game on a horrific 30.8% of the free throw line, as Atlanta often turns to Hack-A-Simmons late in the game.
Howard, himself just a 58.6% career free throw shooter, knows all about the criticisms that come with a bad shot on goal. Maybe he can also offer Simmons his own advice on how to improve from the line.
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