2016 NBA Draft/College Basketball Thread

[marcush]

Simmons, Embiid high spread pick n roll...... league's not ready.

[Agnostifarian]

Simmons has some gaping holes in his game. His poor jump shooting is one of them. However, if you have watched him play a lot, like I have, you will notice that he shoots with his right hand exclusively around the rim and in the paint. You see, the only things that Ben shoots with his left hand are free throws and those ugly-assed jump shots. Ben has now connected on 10 of his 39 attempts on jumpers--not three-pointers, jumpers.

Ben is very skilled handling the ball and distributing. For him to be effective with the 24 second clock, he's Going to have to get the ball early in the possession.

One reason that Okafor was so inefficient early this season was because he wasn't getting the ball in the post until there were less than 15 seconds left in the shot clock. Jah seems to have developed a nice face up repertoire from the foul line, the place where he can get the ball more quickly and easily in a pick and roll offense.

Simmons will need the ball early in the shot clock too. If he could play the point guard position, he would be a unique and transformational player but I don't see how he can do it.

On the defense of side of the ball, Simmons only looks to be a liability.

I hope everyone takes the opportunity to watch Ben Simmons in his last college games this week in the SEC tournament. There are three months before the draft and many of you still talk about Ben Simmons based on hype from last summer and not what he's done on the court since then.

[Negrodamus]

Unless the Sixers can see Simmons being a SF (as in, guarding the other wings of the NBA), I think we have to go Ingram. Yes, he's in a shooting slump. Through that, he's still shooting 40% from 3 and 44 FG%. I don't think it's a fluke that he's a very good shooter. It's more likely that he's just struggling right now.

[Mik317]

yall cray

[marcush]

Simmons has some gaping holes in his game. His poor jump shooting is one of them. However, if you have watched him play a lot, like I have, you will notice that he shoots with his right hand exclusively around the rim and in the paint. You see, the only things that Ben shoots with his left hand are free throws and those ugly-assed jump shots. Ben has now connected on 10 of his 39 attempts on jumpers--not three-pointers, jumpers.

Ben is very skilled handling the ball and distributing. For him to be effective with the 24 second clock, he's Going to have to get the ball early in the possession.

One reason that Okafor was so inefficient early this season was because he wasn't getting the ball in the post until there were less than 15 seconds left in the shot clock. Jah seems to have developed a nice face up repertoire from the foul line, the place where he can get the ball more quickly and easily in a pick and roll offense.

Simmons will need the ball early in the shot clock too. If he could play the point guard position, he would be a unique and transformational player but I don't see how he can do it.

On the defense of side of the ball, Simmons only looks to be a liability.

I hope everyone takes the opportunity to watch Ben Simmons in his last college games this week in the SEC tournament. There are three months before the draft and many of you still talk about Ben Simmons based on hype from last summer and not what he's done on the court since then.

He is absolutely a point guard offensively. Sure, defensively he will guard the opposition teams 2nd tallest player but his gift is as a facilitator on offence. The same way the Bucks are using Giannis.

[Negrodamus]

yall cray

But why? It's not like his team lacks talent. He has Quarterman and Blakeney who are both very talented players. He plays in a relatively weak SEC. Now he's NIT bound unless he does some serious work in the SEC Tourney.

That aside, there are now grade issues. He's been turning it over at an alarming rate recently. He has no real jump shot to speak of.

Lets just say he's our 6'11 point guard. The PG needs to be able to knock down a three. If you look at the top 50 3PM all time, it is littered with random PGs that you wouldn't tab as 3pt shooters. It's just the nature of the position on offense.

Can he guard on the perimeter? If not, then he's a PF. We have Nerlens, Saric, Embiid, Grant, and Holmes. How are we going to make that work? Even if you trade one, you still have a massive logjam at that position.

Besides getting blasted by UL, Ingram really doesn't turn it over a whole lot. He plays within the offense, but is able to dribble and create for himself. He's definitely more raw than Simmons, but his potential is much higher and definitely fits. Even if you think Simmons is a better prospect, the gap between the two is not large enough to completely dismiss fit.

[Agnostifarian]

I'm going to watch whatever games Ben has left before the draft and I'll comment on anything new. Otherwise, I'll wait until the Lottery on May 17th to see if we actually get one of the first two picks. I understand why there are Simmons fans and you guys have heard enough of what I think on this issue. I would like to hear more about how he can play PG though. Please, have at it.

[marcush]

I'm going to watch whatever games Ben has left before the draft and I'll comment on anything new. Otherwise, I'll wait until the Lottery on May 17th to see if we actually get one of the first two picks. I understand why there are Simmons fans and you guys have heard enough of what I think on this issue. I would like to hear more about how he can play PG though. Please, have at it.

Has great vision and passing instincts. Good handles, good speed and agility. He's just a natural facilitator, they don't always use him in that role but in the more wide open, pick n roll heavy NBA, it just makes sense for him to have the ball in his hands.

What do you think is holding him back?

[Bigballer74]

I'm going to watch whatever games Ben has left before the draft and I'll comment on anything new. Otherwise, I'll wait until the Lottery on May 17th to see if we actually get one of the first two picks. I understand why there are Simmons fans and you guys have heard enough of what I think on this issue. I would like to hear more about how he can play PG though. Please, have at it.

As someone who hasn't seen a ton of Simmons games this year, I appreciate the feedback you've given on him. They can't mess this pick up, but there may not be a true superstar in this draft...

[phifans]

Could he become the next "Magic Johnson" ? Because anything short of that would be a disappointment for our tank this year in my mind.

[Mik317]

can we stop focusing on what peeps can't do well? These are 19-20 year old kids...none of them are finished products or even close to that. Simmons can't shoot right now. Ingram needs to eat some sandwhiches. Both have things that could potentially doom them longterm...however...both do some cool ass **** that we desperately need. Simmons can create, for himself and others off the bounce...lord knows we could use that. A lot of these posessions that currently ends with Jerami Grant flailing himself at the rim would suddenly be in the hands of a guy who can finish or better yet make the pass. Yes...he can't shoot for ****.. that thang is broke as **** homie but its not like we are contending tommorow anyway...we can wait. Simmons will fit into multiple styles just fine..without a jumper. He becomes all world if he ever gets anything close to one. You take a chance on that all day. He is perfect for today's NBA even without a jumper. He and Noel would work. He and Embiid would also kill. Hell, he and Jah wouldn't be too bad, at least Jah would have someone else capable of getting him the ball in better positions. Yes, Ingrams shooting and what not would be nice too...I tend to look like I hate the guy when I don't...I'd be hyped to get him..but idk if I'd take him because Simmons can't shoot or isn't the best fit with our scrublords. The only reason I harp on Jah as much as I do is because I he requires way more work to make it work than anyone else. Yes we need shooting...but we need actual basketball players period.

[drone3]

If you land Simmons and say Taurean Prince and trade for Schroeder, you would have a solid team. Probably would also need to upgrade at SG.

Schroeder, Ish
Stauskas, Caanan
Prince, Grant
Simmons, Saric
Embiid, Okafor

[Negrodamus]

can we stop focusing on what peeps can't do well? These are 19-20 year old kids...none of them are finished products or even close to that. Simmons can't shoot right now. Ingram needs to eat some sandwhiches. Both have things that could potentially doom them longterm...however...both do some cool ass **** that we desperately need. Simmons can create, for himself and others off the bounce...lord knows we could use that. A lot of these posessions that currently ends with Jerami Grant flailing himself at the rim would suddenly be in the hands of a guy who can finish or better yet make the pass. Yes...he can't shoot for ****.. that thang is broke as **** homie but its not like we are contending tommorow anyway...we can wait. Simmons will fit into multiple styles just fine..without a jumper. He becomes all world if he ever gets anything close to one. You take a chance on that all day. He is perfect for today's NBA even without a jumper. He and Noel would work. He and Embiid would also kill. Hell, he and Jah wouldn't be too bad, at least Jah would have someone else capable of getting him the ball in better positions. Yes, Ingrams shooting and what not would be nice too...I tend to look like I hate the guy when I don't...I'd be hyped to get him..but idk if I'd take him because Simmons can't shoot or isn't the best fit with our scrublords. The only reason I harp on Jah as much as I do is because I he requires way more work to make it work than anyone else. Yes we need shooting...but we need actual basketball players period.

Yea... but have you seen his shot? Evan Turner pops into my head like those early 2000s scare prank videos your friends used to pull on you. I need Embiid to not be the best three point shooter on the team next year. That's my only stipulation moving forward.

[Kolkmania]

If you land Simmons and say Taurean Prince and trade for Schroeder, you would have a solid team. Probably would also need to upgrade at SG.

Schroeder, Ish
Stauskas, Caanan
Prince, Grant
Simmons, Saric
Embiid, Okafor

Misunderstood. Still this team would win 25 games max in my opinion. Not that is a bad thing, next year will be about development of an actual NBA team.

[76ers 2020]

They have Simmons in the 4 spot.

[drone3]

If you land Simmons and say Taurean Prince and trade for Schroeder, you would have a solid team. Probably would also need to upgrade at SG.

Schroeder, Ish
Stauskas, Caanan
Prince, Grant
Simmons, Saric
Embiid, Okafor

You can get a lot more for Simmons on a rookie deal than the 1 year contract of Schröder.

Would never trade Simmons, he's starting at the 4. Noel and RoCo could be traded for Schroeder and whatever other pieces.

[Tom349]

yall cray

But why? It's not like his team lacks talent. He has Quarterman and Blakeney who are both very talented players. He plays in a relatively weak SEC. Now he's NIT bound unless he does some serious work in the SEC Tourney.

Quarterman and Blakeney are talented players but also incredibly inconsistent. When both have played well then LSU has performed as expected, when they haven't played well, which has been too often the results have been what they are. Whilst the earlier season losses can be pin'd on not having Victor or Hornsby.

That aside, there are now grade issues. He's been turning it over at an alarming rate recently. He has no real jump shot to speak of.

His turnovers have increased but thats partly due to his team mates as well. For instance if a team mate fails to catch the ball and the ball goes out of bounds that turnover is given to the passer. Which I can count a number of times throughout the season where a team mate of Bens has failed to catch one of his passes, which are heated but at the next level they're not dropped.

Lets just say he's our 6'11 point guard. The PG needs to be able to knock down a three. If you look at the top 50 3PM all time, it is littered with random PGs that you wouldn't tab as 3pt shooters. It's just the nature of the position on offense.

Simple solution is to assemble three point shooters around Ben. If Embid comes good then you have a five capable of stretching the floor, which if your five can stretch the floor then all of a sudden your four doesn't. Plus you have plenty of assets to acquire elite shooters around the league.

Can he guard on the perimeter? If not, then he's a PF. We have Nerlens, Saric, Embiid, Grant, and Holmes. How are we going to make that work? Even if you trade one, you still have a massive logjam at that position.

He takes too many plays off at this stage but when locked in he has shown to be able to keep in front of quicker guards.

Besides getting blasted by UL, Ingram really doesn't turn it over a whole lot. He plays within the offense, but is able to dribble and create for himself. He's definitely more raw than Simmons, but his potential is much higher and definitely fits. Even if you think Simmons is a better prospect, the gap between the two is not large enough to completely dismiss fit.

Ingram has more turnovers than assist and his potential is a rich mans Kris Middleton, which is good player but you have to aim higher if you have the first pick in the draft.

[Agnostifarian]

I'm going to watch whatever games Ben has left before the draft and I'll comment on anything new. Otherwise, I'll wait until the Lottery on May 17th to see if we actually get one of the first two picks. I understand why there are Simmons fans and you guys have heard enough of what I think on this issue. I would like to hear more about how he can play PG though. Please, have at it.

Has great vision and passing instincts. Good handles, good speed and agility. He's just a natural facilitator, they don't always use him in that role but in the more wide open, pick n roll heavy NBA, it just makes sense for him to have the ball in his hands.

What do you think is holding him back?

What is holding him back? Probably coaching at LSU, mainly. You would think that Johnny Jones would have tried Ben at PG. Shooting could hold him back too. It's not just the jump shooting. He finishes almost exclusively with his right hand around the basket. If you haven't watched his full games, just watch his highlight videos and count the number of left handed layups. His offense is very predictable and NBA scouting will take that away. Perimeter defense? Attitude?

HOWEVER, I realize that Ben Simmons is very talented. This article makes many compelling points as to why the kid can be a big time NBA talent.

http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/3/7/11165424/how-ben-simmons-star-shooting-philadelphia-sixers-lsu

[Negrodamus]

Well, Ingram's shot is back.

[KramerDSP]

Would it be wrong to say that Jamal Murray gives off this Russell Wilson vibe in terms of intangibles?