Ben Simmons

[splendidham]

Sat a long time due to foul trouble,. too sat awhile the previous game also. Might have had triple doubles otherwise. Nobody is dominating the ball on that team at the moment. It's really nice to see the evenness of the scoring


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[Undefeated]

He doesn't look stiff at all to me. Very smooth game actually.

[Waynearchetype]

He doesn't look stiff at all to me. Very smooth game actually.

Yeah, I'm not sure where this is coming from. I feel like people are trying a little too hard to counter the hype.

That said, how much he uses his little one handed floater has me a little concerned. It seems to be his go to move from almost everywhere on the court (even the buzzer from 3 in the last highlight clip) which works now. Might work in college, as he will still be faster/larger than most players defending him. I just don't see him having a ton of success with it in the NBA.

[GimmeDat]

Game Highlights -

https://vimeo.com/136832165?DB_OEM_ID=5200

Hopefully a full highlights video is done for Ben so we can see more than just the flashy finishes.

[splendidham]

He doesn't look stiff at all to me. Very smooth game actually.

Yeah, I'm not sure where this is coming from. I feel like people are trying a little too hard to counter the hype.

That said, how much he uses his little one handed floater has me a little concerned. It seems to be his go to move from almost everywhere on the court (even the buzzer from 3 in the last highlight clip) which works now. Might work in college, as he will still be faster/larger than most players defending him. I just don't see him having a ton of success with it in the NBA.

I wouldn't worry that much. I didn't really see any in the clip just above. They are quite effective though, especially with his ambidexterity. I think he's quite aware what he has to work on (a lot like any prospect). He has professionals in his ear wherever he goes and from all accounts is a tireless worker.


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[Dcebucks11]

cant wait to see him play live

[Illmatic12]

He doesn't look stiff at all to me. Very smooth game actually.

Simmons is certainly not stiff for his size, but for people who thought he had some Lebron or even prime Grant Hill type explosion of the dribble, I think that's not the case. He moves very well for 6'10, but not 'Durant' status or even Giannis in terms of his agility.

My favorite thing about him is that he's lefty but can use his right comfortably around the rim- that's pretty rare for younger prospects. But he needs to learn how to use his size better. In the NBA he's not gonna be taking SFs off the dribble, or breaking down the defense from the perimeter.

Idk, I just see this guy's hype decreasing drastically by the time he gets to the league. His game is going to be picked apart.

[splendidham]

Game Highlights -

https://vimeo.com/136832165?DB_OEM_ID=5200

Hopefully a full highlights video is done for Ben so we can see more than just the flashy finishes.

I don't think there will be anymore highlights. Initially the games were to be fully streamed but that was denied at the request of LSU so instead only got audio. Don't want to show their cards I guess


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[Undefeated]

Simmons is certainly not stiff for his size, but for people who thought he had some Lebron or even prime Grant Hill type explosion of the dribble, I think that's not the case. He moves very well for 6'10, but not 'Durant' status or even Giannis in terms of his agility.

I don't think the comparison to LeBron was ever about his athleticism/explosiveness, but his point forward skills with the elite court vision and playmaking abilities.

[GimmeDat]

Game Highlights -

https://vimeo.com/136832165?DB_OEM_ID=5200

Hopefully a full highlights video is done for Ben so we can see more than just the flashy finishes.

I don't think there will be anymore highlights. Initially the games were to be fully streamed but that was denied at the request of LSU so instead only got audio. Don't want to show their cards I guess


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Yeah, that was the case to my knowledge as well, but somehow a full highlights video got released (the one I posted on the previous page). Maybe it was just a one off of someone filming and uploading it, because it's the only video on his channel.

[GimmeDat]

I figured this was going to be the problem with Simmons' hype. The LeBron, Grant Hill, and TMac (wtf nbadraft.net) comparisons were really off-base and have people nit-picking the wrong things.

He's a PF through and through - just a 'new age' one. He's the 'good' kind of tweener if you want to look at it that way as well.

It's hard to envision his role on an NBA team, because he does need the ball in his hands as it stands at the moment, from the looks of things anyway. From all the Bulls games I've watched this season, I think Mirotic is a really interesting comparison in terms of a potential role. Mirotic is obviously a much better shooter, making him a great off-ball threat, and I think Ben will require at least respectable 3 point range, but otherwise, Mirotic is a matchup nightmare in the same fashion I see Simmon's to be one.

Mirotic can handle the ball, create, pass from the PF spot (Simmon's is superior to him in all these categories). He consistently takes PF's off the dribble and scores, and he is very capable of taking it into the post and finishing despite his frame.

If Simmons' shows enough from the 3 point line to warrant the defense to respect him from out there, then he will likely become 'a better Mirotic'. If not, then I can picture it being like what I've seen with Julius Randle charging into packs that know he's going to drive. The good news for Simmon's is he has pretty good form, and from the limited glimpses he's actually a solid shooter. A lot of the shooting criticism comes from him just not shooting a lot of jumpers; but why would he when he can get a better shot? Not settling and being aggressive has been one of his major strength's so far.

It's a question mark because he hasn't displayed it, but that doesn't mean he's a bad shooter. I'm going to watch this space, because the college season will likely answer the question. He has the natural feel for the game and unique abilities of a star player, but he's got ground to make up on the core fundamentals to warrant having the ball in his hands in an NBA setting. I believe having a J and a basic post game could make the difference for his NBA success.

[Undefeated]

I have him as a hybrid between J-Smoove/Hedo during his Magic days, essentially a playmaking 4 in today's "small ball". With the prevalence of the PnR in today's game his playmaking skills should allow him to be instrumental in most offenses specifically running elbow PnRs like the Rockets did milking it with Smoove/Dwight (Elbow Get) and working the "short roll" like Draymond in the Finals where he would slow down his dive to the basket, read the defense, and choose the best option whether that's throwing a lob to the weak-side big or kicking the ball out to the corner shooter when the defense would be go into rotation to prevent the roll. Most small ball bigs don't have his soft touch on the floater/runner (Ex. Draymond forcing lob passes in the Finals when the Cavs were staying home on the shooters) so that's a weapon he has to counter against when defenses stay home and force him to beat the defense.

[NO-KG-AI]

He doesn't look stiff at all to me. Very smooth game actually.

Simmons is certainly not stiff for his size, but for people who thought he had some Lebron or even prime Grant Hill type explosion of the dribble, I think that's not the case. He moves very well for 6'10, but not 'Durant' status or even Giannis in terms of his agility.

My favorite thing about him is that he's lefty but can use his right comfortably around the rim- that's pretty rare for younger prospects. But he needs to learn how to use his size better. In the NBA he's not gonna be taking SFs off the dribble, or breaking down the defense from the perimeter.

Idk, I just see this guy's hype decreasing drastically by the time he gets to the league. His game is going to be picked apart.

All of this.

He's not stiff for his body size and type, but he's definitely not shifty and with enough wiggle to be a guy that just consistently creates from the wings.

[crazy_me_87]

I think its pretty amazing how people talk so definitive like its all set in stone.

Lebron had no 3pt shot coming into the NBA.. when rested and able to pick his shots he is a 40% shooter from 3 now
KD had no handles and couldnt really create for his Teammates ... he has good handles now and is the second best wing assistman in the nba

It seems as some here havent heard: 18-19yo Kids do improve alot more often than not^^

Ben is very fast for his size and has great body control/coordinaton. I dont see a reason why he shouldnt be able to find ways to create his offense from the wing/in halfcourt.

Fast First step isnt EVERYTHING. Lebron,Kobe,MJ type of drives arent the only way to score^^
look at guys like Paul Pierce or Melo. Ben is propably more athletic and faster than both at the same age. Those two clearly arent good scorers right? oh wait...

My Point is even he maybe does not have GOAT Level Offensive skills that doesnt mean he cant develop into a very good scorer.

In the right offense he can score 12-14ppg on Transition and straight drives alone. I think he can develop a half court game good enough to get him another 5-10 points^^

He likley never will score 30ppg but not everyone does^^ and not everyone has to.

I see him averaging 18-22 for his career 24 in his prime. Not an elite 28-32ppg scorer but solid enough considering all else he brings.

[reload141]

Just saw him live in Melbourne and he looked on cruise control mode... But his court awareness and vision is off the charts, as his passing.
Very much a Odom/Pippen type by the way he plays

[GimmeDat]

Yeah I went to the Hisense game too, it was his weakest showing all trip but the feel for the game is all there.

It really did show that he has a long way to go with his half court offense though... he had quite a few jumpers, which was nice, but ultimately he didn't make a big impact in the sets. When they had him in the post (and one instance when Igor, a 6 and a bit PG was on him, comes to mind especially) Ben didn't attack in the post at all, though he did frequently make great passes out of it. Had some really bad turnovers trying to make things happen and ultimately just couldn't find great spots in the offense. He did attack the rim and force his way to the line a few times later in the game.

Oh and that blown dunk was a disappointment, I was getting hyped up there!

I was watching his form both in the warmups and game and he has nice mechanics with his arms, and he has a very casual but comfortable technique, but I noticed he can be inconsistent with his form at times. He really kicks his legs when shooting off the dribble as well, almost a scissoring type motion, which can work but didn't seem ideal.

Anyway, good game, loved seeing Ben one last time before he officially makes it big, and a good showing for basketball in Australia. Also funny to note, I don't know if anyone else that was there noticed, but Bogut had front row seats in the first half, did the presentation at half time, and then left Hisense. Jack Watts took his seat.

[splendidham]

Yeah I went to the Hisense game too, it was his weakest showing all trip but the feel for the game is all there.

It really did show that he has a long way to go with his half court offense though... he had quite a few jumpers, which was nice, but ultimately he didn't make a big impact in the sets. When they had him in the post (and one instance when Igor, a 6 and a bit PG was on him, comes to mind especially) Ben didn't attack in the post at all, though he did frequently make great passes out of it. Had some really bad turnovers trying to make things happen and ultimately just couldn't find great spots in the offense. He did attack the rim and force his way to the line a few times later in the game.

Oh and that blown dunk was a disappointment, I was getting hyped up there!

I was watching his form both in the warmups and game and he has nice mechanics with his arms, and he has a very casual but comfortable technique, but I noticed he can be inconsistent with his form at times. He really kicks his legs when shooting off the dribble as well, almost a scissoring type motion, which can work but didn't seem ideal.

Anyway, good game, loved seeing Ben one last time before he officially makes it big, and a good showing for basketball in Australia. Also funny to note, I don't know if anyone else that was there noticed, but Bogut had front row seats in the first half, did the presentation at half time, and then left Hisense. Jack Watts took his seat.

5 games in 7 days, I thought the whole team looked very tired. Agreed Ben needs to work on his half court offense but he's a smart guy. He'd know if he wants to emulate what Lebron is, he'll have to add it to his repertoire. The thing I took out of the entire series was clearly he's putting work into his jump shot. It seems to be improving although you made some quite valid points about it. Gotta remember that as rounded as he is, he's still only 18-19 and has a lot of time to develop still


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[GimmeDat]

Yeah I went to the Hisense game too, it was his weakest showing all trip but the feel for the game is all there.

It really did show that he has a long way to go with his half court offense though... he had quite a few jumpers, which was nice, but ultimately he didn't make a big impact in the sets. When they had him in the post (and one instance when Igor, a 6 and a bit PG was on him, comes to mind especially) Ben didn't attack in the post at all, though he did frequently make great passes out of it. Had some really bad turnovers trying to make things happen and ultimately just couldn't find great spots in the offense. He did attack the rim and force his way to the line a few times later in the game.

Oh and that blown dunk was a disappointment, I was getting hyped up there!

I was watching his form both in the warmups and game and he has nice mechanics with his arms, and he has a very casual but comfortable technique, but I noticed he can be inconsistent with his form at times. He really kicks his legs when shooting off the dribble as well, almost a scissoring type motion, which can work but didn't seem ideal.

Anyway, good game, loved seeing Ben one last time before he officially makes it big, and a good showing for basketball in Australia. Also funny to note, I don't know if anyone else that was there noticed, but Bogut had front row seats in the first half, did the presentation at half time, and then left Hisense. Jack Watts took his seat.

5 games in 7 days, I thought the whole team looked very tired. Agreed Ben needs to work on his half court offense but he's a smart guy. He'd know if he wants to emulate what Lebron is, he'll have to add it to his repertoire. The thing I took out of the entire series was clearly he's putting work into his jump shot. It seems to be improving although you made some quite valid points about it. Gotta remember that as rounded as he is, he's still only 18-19 and has a lot of time to develop still


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Yeah, he did look a bit tired, as did the whole team. The few times he really exploded he looked really good, like that coast to coast dunk.

Future is very bright.

[tsmith]

saw the game last night and after reading all the crap on this board thought his jumpshot was gonna be rajon rondo level, but it was actually pretty nice, good form and release

[NikolaPekovic]

This dude gets the criticism of a number 1 pick.