76ers HC Sees Ben Simmons as a Legit PG

[sfernald]

^i know it's insane: half a game really if you think about it. We here at realgm are way ahead of the curve tho compared to the average NBA fan who won't figure out what Simmons is until some point well into the season.

At some point in December Barkley will be on TNT declaring him the next Magic Johnson AND THEN everyone will get it.

[Kobblehead]

This is just "overly excited coach speak"

Simmons is a perimeter-oriented lead distributor on offense, but he's going to be guarding Fs on the defensive end. He's not going to be logging minutes "at the PG spot."

[joyeuxnoel]

See the advantage of having a guy like simmons is that you can find a pg who is a good shooter/defender and doesn't have to be an elite ballhandler and penetrator. Someone like Patrick beverley. This saves you a lot of $ at the pg spot.

Although I think having a 2nd penetrator (lebron/kyrie) is still optimal for building a dangerous team. I really hope dennis smith jr ends up in Philly

dennis smith jr is hngggggggggggggggggggg

[bakesale]

This isnt Lebron here.. Simmons' handle is very weak.. He would be stripped multiple times a game off of the bounce and in making passes. Opposing PG's would also just sag off and force him to shoot with his weak J. He's not a point. There is one 6'8 dude who can legit run point in the NBA for 48 minutes and thats Lebron.

Simmons has a good handle. I think he has a better handle than LeBron did at the same age.

This is false. His handle is decent for a 6'10 guy. Odom had a far better handle, and Lebrons quickness and control with his, was in a different stratosphere. Antoine Walker also had a better handle, and similar passing instincts, but couldnt run point.. Dudes not a point

Did you watch the game?

I did and I think he can play point. Not only play point but do a great job of it.

His knowledgeable and experienced coach tends to agree with me

[Unbreakable99]

Yeah. Simmons has the mindset of a PG and just knows how to facilitate the offense.

[EddieJonesFan]

Of course he should be a PG. He won't be remarkable at any other position considering his lack of shooting, elite length, and post moves. This is the player they took no.1, despite the better fitting player in Ingram, because they thought he was a franchise player that they could build around, and his best attribute is his passing ability. If that doesn't lead to them making him a PG and leading the offense, then they're self-contradictory morons. Either swing for the fences on him being the next big thing at PG, or settle for him being Lamar Odom at PF. The choice should be obvious.

[Unbreakable99]

Of course he should be a PG. He won't be remarkable at any other position considering his lack of shooting, elite length, and post moves. This is the player they took no.1, despite the better fitting player in Ingram, because they thought he was a franchise player that they could build around, and his best attribute is his passing ability. If that doesn't lead to them making him a PG and leading the offense, then they're self-contradictory morons. Either swing for the fences on him being the next big thing at PG, or settle for him being Lamar Odom at PF. The choice should be obvious.

I do think Simmons is the better fit and player than Ingram.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I've been saying this for a while, geez...

Two sides of the floor. On offense, don't bother getting a high usage guard who needs the ball in his hand, or you will take away Simmons best attribute. He is often going to bringing the ball up and initiating the offense.

This allows you to get a guard that focus's on defending PGs. Then you stick Simmons on the weakest player at SG/SF/PF on defense, fill some more shooters and defenders around him.


I think most of us here realize that the game is more complex than the 5 traditional positions can ever really describe. Simmons is clearly a mold breaker and never going to fit into one of the 5 premade boxes that casual fans still reference.

[EddieJonesFan]

Of course he should be a PG. He won't be remarkable at any other position considering his lack of shooting, elite length, and post moves. This is the player they took no.1, despite the better fitting player in Ingram, because they thought he was a franchise player that they could build around, and his best attribute is his passing ability. If that doesn't lead to them making him a PG and leading the offense, then they're self-contradictory morons. Either swing for the fences on him being the next big thing at PG, or settle for him being Lamar Odom at PF. The choice should be obvious.

I do think Simmons is the better fit and player than Ingram.

I said that because they lacked shooting and had a plethora of post players, but fine, whatever. The point is, you don't go with Simmons over Ingram, unless you think he's going to be a great perimeter facilitator, because he's never going to be a great shooter or post scorer.

[CablexDeadpool]

I wish fans and coaches would stop calling forwards that can pass the rock point guards. There's never been a forward sized guard playing the PG position. They guard forwards and even Centers in Giannis case. You play the position you guard.

It's a freaking point forward.

Giannis plays point forward, Lebron plays point forward, Scottie Pippen played point forward, Larry Bird was a point forward, TMac played point forward, Magic Johnson was essentially a point forward, Rick Barry was a point forward..

And guess what...

Ben Simmons is gonna be a point forward. He isn't a point guard. Get it right people.

I really don't understand the basketball world's obsession with labeling tall guys that can pass point guards...when they never play freaking point guard...

[Unbreakable99]

I wish fans and coaches would stop calling forwards that can pass the rock point guards. There's never been a forward sized guard playing the PG position. They guard forwards and even Centers in Giannis case. You play the position you guard.

It's a freaking point forward.

Giannis plays point forward, Lebron plays point forward, Scottie Pippen played point forward, Larry Bird was a point forward, TMac played point forward, Magic Johnson was essentially a point forward, Rick Barry was a point forward..

And guess what...

Ben Simmons is gonna be a point forward. He isn't a point guard. Get it right people.

I really don't understand the basketball world's obsession with labeling tall guys that can pass point guards...when they never play freaking point guard...

Semantics. Bottom line is Simmons facilitates the offense just like PGs do. He can set the offense up and run the show. Call him whatever the hell you want but he can control the flow of the offense and facilitate with the best of them.

[SF_Warriors]

I haven't caught any Summer League games yet, but as a point guard, him or Giannis??

Hard to compare. Giannis' vision is pretty blah, but he gets into the lane and he's so long he can pass over anyone. Simmons is a bangin passer but doesn't know how to play at full speed or within a system/flow now. I'd say as a pure point guard/forward, Simmons has much greater potential, but Giannis is a better general wrecking ball.

I had my doubts too, but there were plenty of times where giannis got into the lane and I was astounded at his vision and ability to make the correct pass. Not sure what you were watching, if you were ...

[sikma42]

I wish fans and coaches would stop calling forwards that can pass the rock point guards. There's never been a forward sized guard playing the PG position. They guard forwards and even Centers in Giannis case. You play the position you guard.

It's a freaking point forward.

Giannis plays point forward, Lebron plays point forward, Scottie Pippen played point forward, Larry Bird was a point forward, TMac played point forward, Magic Johnson was essentially a point forward, Rick Barry was a point forward..

And guess what...

Ben Simmons is gonna be a point forward. He isn't a point guard. Get it right people.

I really don't understand the basketball world's obsession with labeling tall guys that can pass point guards...when they never play freaking point guard...

Semantics. Bottom line is Simmons facilitates the offense just like PGs do. He can set the offense up and run the show. Call him whatever the hell you want but he can control the flow of the offense and facilitate with the best of them.

Kobe and Wade were also great point guards, same with Harden.


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[saintEscaton]

I think his case is kind of similiar to DLO's. Simmons can make flashy no look bounce/ outlet passes but most of his assists in college came in isolation at the wing or in transition when he crashed the glass and pushed to break. DLo looks to be more of a Ginoblisque playmaking 2 who has eyes in the back of his head and great court vision but isn't quite assertive enough to be a floor general who can dictate the pace.

[EvanZ]

The real question is what does he play on defense?

[Mik317]

Brett' system has lots of plays in which a big guy has the rock at the top of the key runs the offense. I imagine this will be Simmons main role in the halfocurt

[Un4given]

it would already be huge for Philly if he could be moved down to SF in terms of "natural" position. Surely, he could and probably should become primary ball distributor for that team but full time PG role demands much more than just being the best passer on the team. I'm really excited about potential of Embiid/Saric/Simmons front court trio in terms of fit and matchups nightmares they could produde agaisnt most teams just by adding two 3 & d specialist at guards positions to the roaster.

[CablexDeadpool]

Semantics. Bottom line is Simmons facilitates the offense just like PGs do. He can set the offense up and run the show. Call him whatever the hell you want but he can control the flow of the offense and facilitate with the best of them.

It's not semantics, it's deliberately just making stuff up to hype up a player on fans and media's part and on coaches part trying to sound innovative when this has been going on since Rick Barry and Bill Walton (having a larger sized player run an offense).

Just because someone is the point guard, doesn't necessarily mean they run the team.


And Ben Simmons is alright. His inability to shoot and create shots off the dribble and post up and his rather rudimentary handle will limit his ability to do anything useful on offense other than pass in the half court.

His dynamic play comes when he can run in transition where he does look special.

He should play PF and model his game after Blake Griffin in regards to post play and high post passing.

[76ciology]

Simmons got near elite handles,vision, IQ and passing skills. He also has the length, IQ and quickness/athleticism to be effective in challenging shots with volume.

It's just he lacks a reliable jumper for him to score in volume and he rarely participates in help defense.

SL plays a physical type of defense due to the allowed number of personal fouls. But I'd guess (not indicating certainty) him finishing much better around the rim in regular season.

Still, he's an impressive prospect that I can't see not improving on scoring and w/deflections with the tools he has.

[Patsfan1081]

Simmons got near elite handles,vision, IQ and passing skills. He also has the length, IQ and quickness/athleticism to be effective in challenging shots with volume.

It's just he lacks a reliable jumper for him to score in volume and he rarely participates in help defense.

SL plays a physical type of defense due to the allowed number of personal fouls. But I'd guess (not indicating certainty) him finishing much better around the rim in regular season.

Still, he's an impressive prospect that I can't see not improving on scoring and w/deflections with the tools he has.

How is he going to be a better finisher in the regular season when most of the guys he's playing against will be in the D league or oversees by then. This should be the time to work on parts of tpyour game that need improvement, not just showing what we already knew you could do. He's also got a lot more than just his jumper to work on if he wants to become a star in this league.