The Ben Simmons Megathread - Part II

[Black Mage]

Does anyone else feel like Ben's handle is overrated? I mean for a 6'10" guy it's very good, but it's not good enough or on the level of Magic or LeBron and this is in part what limits his ability to drive in the half court.

[Slacktard]

Boston showed how to handle Simmons and Simmons came back this year with ZERO improvements to address how Boston shut him down and stagmented the Sixers offense. If anything Simmons regressed into more of a outside shot avoidance.

If a boxer has a really good right, but never EVER throws a left. You can use that to your advantage.

[Kobblehead]

Does anyone else feel like Ben's handle is overrated? I mean for a 6'10" guy it's very good, but it's not good enough or on the level of Magic or LeBron and this is in part what limits his ability to drive in the half court.

Yes, it's garbage for the typical ball handler. It's just extraordinary for a 6'10" guy.

Which I was I've been saying the whole time: Are we sure we aren't just indulging in a novelty putting him on the ball? It's not practical at all.

[Bum Adebayo]

Ben could still be a useful player in transition and focusing on defense, he is certainly very useful at doing that. But obviously at a reduced price, like 17M per year max or something like that.

[Kobblehead]

Yeah, but transition play is a regular season quality.

What do you do with him in the halfcourt in a playoff series? He can't play on or off the ball.

[Bum Adebayo]

Yeah, but transition play is a regular season quality.

What do you do with him in the halfcourt in a playoff series? He can't play on or off the ball.

You pay him 17M per year to play good in regular season and to play defense in playoffs. If he can't accept that then FOH and trade him.

[Kobblehead]

I just don't see the point in identifying him as a franchise piece, at this point. If he demonstrated more assertiveness as a scorer, I'd be more willing to hang onto him and see if an opportunity to build a team around him presents itself. Like earlier in the year when I proposed finding a way to pair him with Towns. But since then, he just hasn't shown the ability or willingness to carry a scoring load, so what's the point?

[Black Mage]

Yeah, but transition play is a regular season quality.

What do you do with him in the halfcourt in a playoff series? He can't play on or off the ball.

Bingo. Transition rarely happens in playoffs. It happens even less when your stupid defensive scheme gives up walk-into jumpers that go in.

[DaddyCool19]

If Butler stays, he should be traded for a good shooter. Maybe Beal or Lillard if one of them asks out? If you land Beal, sign someone like Beverley as your PG.

[VDT]

Does anyone else feel like Ben's handle is overrated? I mean for a 6'10" guy it's very good, but it's not good enough or on the level of Magic or LeBron and this is in part what limits his ability to drive in the half court.

Yes, it's garbage for the typical ball handler. It's just extraordinary for a 6'10" guy.

Which I was I've been saying the whole time: Are we sure we aren't just indulging in a novelty putting him on the ball? It's not practical at all.

His main appeal comes from the fact that he could be the main ball handler at that height in the way Lebron and Giannis are. If he cant do that he is just a relatively athletic big man with good passing skills but with no shot and no rim protection. At that point he is a bust for a number 1 pick.

At the moment he doesnt have a position, he cant really be the main ball handler, he cant play off the ball so Brown has parked him close to the rim but that is also not sustainable because it moves Embiid out of position.

[Mojo Amok]

If Joel has some kind of degenerative knee issue like some are speculating, there is no way this team is going to consider moving Simmons.

It depends, if you manage to trade him for another star, then why not? If you can get Zion (I doubt it) or Anthony Davis for him, I do it in a heartbeat.

Because the Pelicans are going to have the same evaluation of Ben that we’re all having. It would have to be Ben + valuable asset(s).

The Pelicans can afford to wait longer than you guys can, though. Simmons as a tank commander for a few years putting up gaudy numbers and hopefully improving his shooting a bit could be very attractive to the Pels if they have a patient rebuilding plan.

I could definitely see them biting on a package built around Simmons unless maybe the Knicks can offer a ridiculous package of picks. I don't think Tatum is even close and Boston's middling picks aren't making up the difference, IMO.