Official #1 pick thread: Simmons or Ingram? Merging topics and a Poll

[Sixerscan]

Is Ben Simmons soft? I've seen him do something extremely soft at the 00:05:10 mark. He avoided an opportunity to dunk all over a 6'2" guard in transition in favor of passing the ball to a wide open teammate for a corner 3 attempt. The teammate missed the 3. A 19 year old Lebron James would have leaped over that 6'2" player for the dunk.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Xy4w93IXw[/youtube]

Actually a major concern with LeBron early in his career was that he was too unselfish and would make plays just like that. Even when as he matured he would still make decisions like that, although in this example the guys obviously weren't 6'2". Comparing Simmons to LBJ is unfair but of all things this is an odd comparison to point to LeBron for...

[sixerswillrule]

And yes he can finish with his left hand. The dude is right-handed, shoots from the outside left-handed, but can't finish at the rim left-handed? Please.

Doesn't look like it.



You're confident that Simmons can finish with his left hand even though out of all his one handed attempts, 95% of them were with his right hand? Even though when he drives left, jumps off his right foot, and the defender is on his right hand, thus all signs say "finish with your left!", he still forces up a right handed layup/floater? How is that nitpicking? It's pretty common for prospects to get called out for having a weak hand. It just so happens that in this case Simmons shoots jumpshots with that weak hand, which is the strange part. But it's pretty clear that as of now he has no confidence at all in finishing with his left. It's something he'll need to work on at the next level because those awkward right handed shots in situations where he should be finishing with his left won't be as effective against NBA defenders.

[Agnostifarian]

Same as last year. There was no debate for the top pick. Towns was the best prospect. It wasn't a debate. No one made a big stink about it last year. This year Simmons is the best prospect. It is what it is.

This.

It's not that Simmons has no flaws. It's not that Simmons is being worshiped as a deity. It's just that there's quite simply no worthy competitor to snatch the #1 pick from him. Notice how nobody is attempting to building a case for Ingram, they're just scrambling for ways to talk themselves out of Simmons.

I said it before, D'Angelo Russell vs. Ben Simmons would be a worthy debate with points and counterpoints in both directions. Personally, I wouldn't go all-in one way or the other. I'd be truly conflicted.

This, on the other hand, is not a worthy debate. Brandon Ingram quite simply wasn't good enough to even be worth considering for the #1 pick.

Your opinions have been clearly stated. Many agree with you. Some do not but still respect your opinion. From my observation point, you are extrapolating too much of Simmons' college stats forward and assuming they will be transferable to the NBA. Ironically, lumping Angelo Russell into your justification weakens your overall argument for Ben Simmons, IMO.

Russell's pre-draft red flags, substandard athleticism, poor finishing, propensity to go left, weak defender, Diva mentality..., all showed up in spades during his rookie year. Frankly, Russell is more likely to bust than live up to your assessment of his potential. I am afraid Simmons is likely to follow his little buddy Angelo. If so, I hope that they can play together for LAL.

Meanwhile, showing some tolerance for opinions other than your own would be welcomed even if unexpected.

Go ahead and bust out Omar Little. We have three weeks to kill.

[Negrodamus]

The strangest part is that we are being painted as if we have a vendetta against Simmons and are lashing out. If he didn't give up on his team, could shoot the basketball, and play defense against wing forwards, there would be nothing left to say. He'd be the only option at #1. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

[Kobblehead]

So build the case for Ingram. If you don't want Ben Simmons at #1, there has to be an alternative that can stand up to the same critical lens. And that's my point. Ingram can be ripped apart even worse through criticism. And he doesn't even have the shield of an excellent freshman season to stand behind.

[Kobblehead]

The strangest part is that we are being painted as if we have a vendetta against Simmons and are lashing out. If he didn't give up on his team, could shoot the basketball, and play defense against wing forwards, there would be nothing left to say. He'd be the only option at #1. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Isn't that what you're doing with the whole "Team Simmons is a bunch of cult worshipers" spiel?

[Negrodamus]

The strangest part is that we are being painted as if we have a vendetta against Simmons and are lashing out. If he didn't give up on his team, could shoot the basketball, and play defense against wing forwards, there would be nothing left to say. He'd be the only option at #1. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Isn't that what you're doing with the whole "Team Simmons is a bunch of cult worshipers" spiel?

Not really. I'm more criticizing the unconditional fans of Ben and won't entertain the thought of not Ben. You know, the posters that's argument is "well, we're taking Simmons, it's a done deal, so it's time for you to get on board with him".

Ben, on the other hand, is a great prospect with a few major flags that are worth considering, in my opinion. Zero grips with him.

[Unbreakable99]

The strangest part is that we are being painted as if we have a vendetta against Simmons and are lashing out. If he didn't give up on his team, could shoot the basketball, and play defense against wing forwards, there would be nothing left to say. He'd be the only option at #1. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Isn't that what you're doing with the whole "Team Simmons is a bunch of cult worshipers" spiel?

Not really. I'm more criticizing the unconditional fans of Ben and won't entertain the thought of not Ben. You know, the posters that's argument is "well, we're taking Simmons, it's a done deal, so it's time for you to get on board with him".

Ben, on the other hand, is a great prospect with a few major flags that are worth considering, in my opinion. Zero grips with him.

When I say we are taking Simmons and it's a done deal that is correct though. I never said I didn't like Ingram because I like him a lot. I just love Simmons. I just don't think it's that close. So yes it's a done deal. I like other prospects as well but they aren't worthy of the top pick.

[phiphan]

That caption ... (since edited to "Loving the process")

[Negrodamus]

It appears Simmons is doing an open work out today in Cleveland according to Ford.

[Unbreakable99]

IT'S TIIIIIIIIME!

The moment we all have been waiting for. The next big thing. I present to you...Ben Simmons!

[tweet]https://twitter.com/chadfordinsider/status/738011566851919872[/tweet]

[SelfishPlayer]

Is Ben Simmons soft? I've seen him do something extremely soft at the 00:05:10 mark. He avoided an opportunity to dunk all over a 6'2" guard in transition in favor of passing the ball to a wide open teammate for a corner 3 attempt. The teammate missed the 3. A 19 year old Lebron James would have leaped over that 6'2" player for the dunk.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Xy4w93IXw[/youtube]

Actually a major concern with LeBron early in his career was that he was too unselfish and would make plays just like that. Even when as he matured he would still make decisions like that, although in this example the guys obviously weren't 6'2". Comparing Simmons to LBJ is unfair but of all things this is an odd comparison to point to LeBron for...

I don't see any similarities. He gave up a wide open dunk in favor of passing the ball for a 3 point shot. I've never seen anything like that on that level of basketball and higher from a player so tall and athletic. I've seen 5'10" guards do something like that to avoid the contest from behind AKA "The Lebron James Block," but never a 6'6"+ player at the beginning of the game. The player he avoided dunking on is Anthony "Cat" Barber who was measured in at a tad under 6'2" without shoes at the NBA combine.

[FlightBrothers]

does Simmons ever rock a shirt....lol

[Unbreakable99]

Is Ben Simmons soft? I've seen him do something extremely soft at the 00:05:10 mark. He avoided an opportunity to dunk all over a 6'2" guard in transition in favor of passing the ball to a wide open teammate for a corner 3 attempt. The teammate missed the 3. A 19 year old Lebron James would have leaped over that 6'2" player for the dunk.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Xy4w93IXw[/youtube]

Actually a major concern with LeBron early in his career was that he was too unselfish and would make plays just like that. Even when as he matured he would still make decisions like that, although in this example the guys obviously weren't 6'2". Comparing Simmons to LBJ is unfair but of all things this is an odd comparison to point to LeBron for...

I don't see any similarities. He gave up a wide open dunk in favor of passing the ball for a 3 point shot. I've never seen anything like that on that level of basketball and higher from a player so tall and athletic. I've seen 5'10" guards do something like that to avoid the contest from behind AKA "The Lebron James Block," but never a 6'6"+ player at the beginning of the game. The player he avoided dunking on is Anthony "Cat" Barber who was measured in at a tad under 6'2" without shoes at the NBA combine.

You're reaching. He clearly was too far under the basket to dunk it in stride. It doesn't matter though. He will be a Sixer. It's only a matter of time. Get your shots in now. Only about 3 weeks left to do so.

[Sundown]

My fear is that his wrists may actually snap...

Right? I get nervous watching him. Like's he's just going to break. I mean, Durant was skinny. But he still had 20 pounds on Ingram coming out.

[BNelley24]

I love Simmons & he is our pick, however, I have noticed that weakness when watching Simmons. He doesn't always attack the rim aggressively. We'll see what happens when he gets in the NBA though

[76ciology]

On offense.

Is Ingram more like Paul George and Simmons is more like John Wall?

[SelfishPlayer]

Actually a major concern with LeBron early in his career was that he was too unselfish and would make plays just like that. Even when as he matured he would still make decisions like that, although in this example the guys obviously weren't 6'2". Comparing Simmons to LBJ is unfair but of all things this is an odd comparison to point to LeBron for...

I don't see any similarities. He gave up a wide open dunk in favor of passing the ball for a 3 point shot. I've never seen anything like that on that level of basketball and higher from a player so tall and athletic. I've seen 5'10" guards do something like that to avoid the contest from behind AKA "The Lebron James Block," but never a 6'6"+ player at the beginning of the game. The player he avoided dunking on is Anthony "Cat" Barber who was measured in at a tad under 6'2" without shoes at the NBA combine.

You're reaching. He clearly was too far under the basket to dunk it in stride. It doesn't matter though. He will be a Sixer. It's only a matter of time. Get your shots in now. Only about 3 weeks left to do so.

You say that he was too far under the basket, but the professional analyst says that he passed up a good look and I agree with him.

[Skates]

does Simmons ever rock a shirt....lol

It's probably an Aussie thing, see, full leg coverage though 'down under', lol.

[76ciology]

does Simmons ever rock a shirt....lol

Marketing. He's trying to tell everyone that he already has NBA ready body. I wouldn't blame him for it's the right thing to do. If you watch Ingram, you'll notice he usually wears a shirt to cover his thin frame.