Ben Simmons

[MCDubbin]

Stats are meaningless when you are trying to see how they will pan out in the NBA.

You have to look at the attributes. Look at how he plays, how he moves, etc. I don't think he will bust but I do think Ben won't be that great.

[HotelVitale]

Beasley was really flawed as well and not only because of his head and off the floor issues.

What flaws did you see in Beasley as a prospect? He was a plus shooter, rebounder, ballhandler, driver, finisher. Good size, put up good D stats too. He wasn't perfect--tunnel vision e.g.--but he was pretty well-rounded for a top prospect.

not a good size for a PF at all, he is 6'8 with an 8'11 reach, not engaged defensively, not as a big, not quick in terms of reaction to defend on the perimeter, tremendous scorer sure, but not a regular shooter, too enamored with the perimeter game when he thrive by playing inside and driving, something that he didnt really do in the pros, plus like I said, too enamored with the sexy perimeter game and too shooting happy while he is not a good shooter by any stretch in terms of shot selection, plus his off the floor issues that were known and were the ones that send him ultimately to nº2 overall basically.

He had a SF's skillset and there was no reason not to think he'd be a protoypical NBA SF. He could drive well and was an above average shooter from midrange and 3, quick and athletic by SF standards too.

The other stuff you're talking about is specifically either 'head' and 'off the floor' stuff. Physically and skillwise he was great; he just never got any better from age 18 to age 22, just kept driving left and taking sideways midrange shots. Didn't figure out how to use his athleticism or his versatility (like you said, just kept himself playing a Kobe perimeter game). But setting aside his mental issues, he was less flawed than most top guys.

[Dcebucks11]

40 dam points, all in the paint. crazy

[Dcebucks11]

Stats are meaningless when you are trying to see how they will pan out in the NBA.

You have to look at the attributes. Look at how he plays, how he moves, etc. I don't think he will bust but I do think Ben won't be that great.

why would you say that? your team is probably drafting him

[donato]

Simmons to me is a SF and there's no question about it. Magic was a huge PG, so what? Is Simmons' shot below average? Yes. But that can get better compared to the skills he does pose naturally. Will he become a good shooter? I don't know. A lot of Anthony Davis detractors here stated matter of factly that he'd never average 17 points per game in the pros. Oops. Simmons is an elite passer, elite rebounder, elite size for skill, excellent ball handler, excellent around the rim and getting to the rim, excellent/quick hands. His defense can get better, his shot can get better. Unselfish to a fault, but he'll figure it out (what a great rare trait to have with such passing skills). But those are things he at least has the potential to do. Those are teachable things whereas his other skills are more you have them or you don't. He's far and away the best prospect since AD. He's a once in five years guy on the surface I'd say. Very unique.

[donato]

double post

[donato]

As he should be. Did you watch Grant Hill in college? I did. Simmons seems far more impressive at this stage.

You are definitely entitled to that opinion.

Grant Hill as a college freshman averaged:

11.2 points per game, 61% FT's, 52% FG's, 5.2 Reb, 2.2 Ast, 1.4 Blk, 1.4 Stl, 2.1 TO's.

Simmons is averaging much better to far better in every category. Have you even watched him play?

Discarding stats though, the eyeball test shows he's off the charts special.

But you're the guy that probably thought Hakeem Olajuwon wouldn't be a good pro because he only averaged 13.3 ppg in college.

Donato, ease up on comments like that last sentence.

[splendidham]

While its early times, it's interesting to see that Ben is actually leading LSU in FT%, also while getting to the line far more than anyone on their squad. I think that's a good sign that his jump shot can eventually improve, even if it needs a few tweaks.
Also while stats are apparently not important anymore, its still kinda cool to see Ben topping LSU in every single statistical category except 3p%.


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[Duke4life831]

I have yet to see anyone state Simmons is going to be a bust. Simmons is by far the best prospect in this draft. But you do have to take a lot of his stats with a grain of salt. Yes doing the majority odd this against very weak competition and his 40 point game was against North Florida. All of his points came in the paint. His half court scoring at the next level is a definite concern. He should be able to score in transition but how is he going to score in the half court? I think and I know many other have said his best comparison is Lamar Odom. Lamar Odom in his prime was a really good player, it's not a negative thing to say he can be the next Odom

[Duke4life831]

While its early times, it's interesting to see that Ben is actually leading LSU in FT%, also while getting to the line far more than anyone on their squad. I think that's a good sign that his jump shot can eventually improve, even if it needs a few tweaks.
Also while stats are apparently not important anymore, its still kinda cool to see Ben topping LSU in every single statistical category except 3p%.


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He's a great all around college player no doubt. But a lot of him leading all the stats for his team is saying more for his lack of teammates around him. He does lead his team in ft% but that's at 74%. When 74% is your leader in your team at free throws, you're in trouble

[donato]

While its early times, it's interesting to see that Ben is actually leading LSU in FT%, also while getting to the line far more than anyone on their squad. I think that's a good sign that his jump shot can eventually improve, even if it needs a few tweaks.
Also while stats are apparently not important anymore, its still kinda cool to see Ben topping LSU in every single statistical category except 3p%.


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He's a great all around college player no doubt. But

Watch him play

[Rastas]

Alot of you guys make me laugh , kind of reminds me of last year when Bens haters stated 'yeah he is king of the kids in High school but he will get sorted out by the big boys in NCAA' , now its 'wait till next year those NBA guys will put him in his place' , dosent have a good jumper , then just watch him play , he will score any way he wants or find the best option kind of like the other guy most you dread to compare him with (Lebron)
Seems to be getting Lebron level criticism so he must be doing something rite!

[No-Man]

You are definitely entitled to that opinion.

Grant Hill as a college freshman averaged:

11.2 points per game, 61% FT's, 52% FG's, 5.2 Reb, 2.2 Ast, 1.4 Blk, 1.4 Stl, 2.1 TO's.

Simmons is averaging much better to far better in every category. Have you even watched him play?

Discarding stats though, the eyeball test shows he's off the charts special.

But you're the guy that probably thought Hakeem Olajuwon wouldn't be a good pro because he only averaged 13.3 ppg in college.

Hill was a full year younger as a fresh, playing in a stacked team against real competition, not LSU's laughable schedule.

[crazy_me_87]

Alot of you guys make me laugh , kind of reminds me of last year when Bens haters stated 'yeah he is king of the kids in High school but he will get sorted out by the big boys in NCAA' , now its 'wait till next year those NBA guys will put him in his place' , dosent have a good jumper , then just watch him play , he will score any way he wants or find the best option kind of like the other guy most you dread to compare him with (Lebron)
Seems to be getting Lebron level criticism so he must be doing something rite!

Honestly i have been getting this feeling as well especially Lately

You have the open minded and positive towards Ben people who are amazed by his play so far. Because he does stuff most of us cant remember a Freshman do usually. Yes there where better Scorers in recent memory as Freshmen(KD,Beasley) but none of them where even near Bens rebounding,passing and in part even Defense. He is at 2.5spg and 1.5bpg. For a guy who is supposed to be not good on defense thats pretty stunning.

And then you have guys who are overly fixated on his one flaw. His jumper. Neglecting the overwhelming evidence that almost everyone gets better at shooting as their career progresses. Shooting is the one thing you can become alot better at as long as your Jumper is not totally broken. Ben's isnt. His form is good he just needs a few years of NBA Level Practice and Shooting Coaches.

I think alot of people dont want to give in to the hype. They dont want to be excited for Ben because they fear he could disappoint them.

Yes Ben is not Lebron 2.0. But he is the closest thing we got since 2003. Kind of like Kobe is MJ lite, Ben could become Lebron lite.

He also could become his totally own player. Point is he has basically unlimited Potential. There is a good chance he becomes a servicable shooter good enough to just keep defenses honest. And if he can get to that point its basically over.

Yes i know his jumper is bad right now. But look at guys like AD,Cousins,Blake etc suddenly showing legit 3pt Range after years in the NBA. If they can LEARN how to shoot why cant Ben?

And with Ben it doesent seem to be a question if he will work his ass off. Every interview i watched of him and how he is on the court just screams "Great work ethic,drive,will to win,strive to be great"

But its kinda the same way with every hyped prospect... Andrew Wiggins was torn down for a pretty good 17/6/2 Freshman year and now he is propably the best young Wing in the NBA...

And i will say this.. Wiggins has the athletic edge over Ben and is a better shooter.. but as a overall Player i take Ben anyday of the week.

[Renegade_H]

as an aussie i can't help but be hyped

Thon Maker + Simmons + the talent we have coming through, not only that guys like Delly and Patty Mills

we're going to be a force, i really hope the AIS can keep them coming

Paired with Brett Brown... gonna be great, Simmons!

don't you dare take him and put him in your mediocre organisation, mind you he could ruin your tank next season

Not tanking next year! 2016 has always been our target year. And after this week, you cannot call us mediocre!

Plus if we get your pick, I'm pretty sure our lineup has more potential than yours.

[HotelVitale]

Grant Hill as a college freshman averaged: 11.2 points per game, 61% FT's, 52% FG's, 5.2 Reb, 2.2 Ast, 1.4 Blk, 1.4 Stl, 2.1 TO's.
Simmons is averaging much better to far better in every category. Have you even watched him play?
Discarding stats though, the eyeball test shows he's off the charts special.But you're the guy that probably thought Hakeem Olajuwon wouldn't be a good pro because he only averaged 13.3 ppg in college.

Hill was a full year younger as a fresh, playing in a stacked team against real competition, not LSU's laughable schedule.

Hill also played 25% less per game than Simmons that year, and the team had like 6 future NBA players. I like Simmons but this isn't a great comparison to make.

[HotelVitale]

There is a good chance he becomes a servicable shooter good enough to just keep defenses honest. And if he can get to that point its basically over. Yes i know his jumper is bad right now. But look at guys like AD,Cousins,Blake etc suddenly showing legit 3pt Range after years in the NBA. If they can LEARN how to shoot why cant Ben?

You're looking at this issue too simply. Many players don't learn to shoot adequately, some others do. If a guy that's been playing basketball everyday for a decade can't do something at all, he's had plenty of chances to learn it and it's a red flag. Doesn't mean he won't learn it but the optimism you're showing here is out of touch with history. For every Blake Griffin who gets decent at shooting there are Drummonds or Dwights (or Faried or B Wright). He could develop a shot but it's real real far from a sure thing and you have to project him with both outcomes in mind.

Also, AD and DMC had jumpers the whole time. AD shot quite a bit of js at UK, and DMC was firing away his rookie year. They both got more efficient and better at shooting but it was never something they couldn't do and they didn't have to learn it.

[No-Man]

AD and Cousins had range, they just didnt have the green light to try at UK.
Blake evolved, but he was further along as a shooter than Simmons is right now, and he is just a different type of beast physically.

[Duke4life831]

While its early times, it's interesting to see that Ben is actually leading LSU in FT%, also while getting to the line far more than anyone on their squad. I think that's a good sign that his jump shot can eventually improve, even if it needs a few tweaks.
Also while stats are apparently not important anymore, its still kinda cool to see Ben topping LSU in every single statistical category except 3p%.


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He's a great all around college player no doubt. But

Watch him play

I've watched him plenty. Nothing I have said is factually incorrect

[Slartibartfast]

He's shooting 75% from the line - that's a lot better than Griffin did at Oklahoma, Odom at Rhode Island, Green at MSU, and on par with AD at UK or Bosh at GT.