Ben Simmons

[scrabbarista]

Good find. Unsurprisingly, it's exactly what scouts have been saying: it's not perfection, but it's not broke(n).

Watching him this season, I sometimes wonder if he's doing what Bird used to do and giving himself an artificial challenge to make the game more interesting for himself (i.e., no jumpers). I know he's probably not messing with his team's fortunes like that, but it's just a thought.

It seems like a lot of people are equating no/low attempts with no/low ability. Just silliness.

Ben said he wont take jumpers until HE feels he can hit them at a rate that satisfies him.
So it could very well be that he wont take more then 10 threes his rookie year.. 20 his sophmore.. and then suddenly shoots a respectable 32-35% his 3rd year on over 2 or 3 threes a game.

Its so unique to say "i will not shoot jumpers till i feel i am GOOD at shooting jumpers" .. we are not used to a 19yo Kid with THAT much amount of BBIQ and perfectionism.

Yeah, I heard that quote, too. I agree with everything in your post. I have yet to see anything from/about Simmons that leads me to believe he'll be anything less than one of the best ever. I know that's getting a million miles ahead of myself, but that's what we do here. In any case, I've personally never been more excited by a prospect.

[crazy_me_87]

Yeah, I heard that quote, too. I agree with everything in your post. I have yet to see anything from/about Simmons that leads me to believe he'll be anything less than one of the best ever. I know that's getting a million miles ahead of myself, but that's what we do here. In any case, I've personally never been more excited by a prospect.

I see we think and feel very simillar about Ben.

His Size,Strenght,Speed,Handling,Touch,Vision,Rebounding etc all those "talent" based things make him a special talent.
His Personality is what makes me totally sure he will be an All Time Great.
He is reported to have nearly insane dedication to the Game.. is an almost manic worker and a Strong Leader.. some Scouts compared his drive to Kobe's ..
He is also a highly Intelligent Kid. One of the smartest 19yo i have every seen.. maybe THE smartest.
He has Lebrons or Magics BBIQ and Approach but seems to be already be more focused and mature at 19yo.

If those reports about his drive are true.. we could have a Generational Player before our eyes.
Talent alone doesnt make you a ATG.. you have to work tirelessly. And i think Ben has that drive.

Think a cross between Lamar Odom and Lebron James... and now give that scary Player Kobe's work ethic and drive.
yikes

[sikma42]

Good find. Unsurprisingly, it's exactly what scouts have been saying: it's not perfection, but it's not broke(n).

Watching him this season, I sometimes wonder if he's doing what Bird used to do and giving himself an artificial challenge to make the game more interesting for himself (i.e., no jumpers). I know he's probably not messing with his team's fortunes like that, but it's just a thought.

It seems like a lot of people are equating no/low attempts with no/low ability. Just silliness.

Ben said he wont take jumpers until HE feels he can hit them at a rate that satisfies him.
So it could very well be that he wont take more then 10 threes his rookie year.. 20 his sophmore.. and then suddenly shoots a respectable 32-35% his 3rd year on over 2 or 3 threes a game.

Its so unique to say "i will not shoot jumpers till i feel i am GOOD at shooting jumpers" .. we are not used to a 19yo Kid with THAT much amount of BBIQ and perfectionism.

Not necessarily high bball iq. Especially when it will likely lead to harder shots and offensive fouls. We'll see how it plays out. But if he can make a 15 foot jumper then maybe we gotta start questioning something


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[sikma42]

Yeah, I heard that quote, too. I agree with everything in your post. I have yet to see anything from/about Simmons that leads me to believe he'll be anything less than one of the best ever. I know that's getting a million miles ahead of myself, but that's what we do here. In any case, I've personally never been more excited by a prospect.

I see we think and feel very simillar about Ben.

His Size,Strenght,Speed,Handling,Touch,Vision,Rebounding etc all those "talent" based things make him a special talent.
His Personality is what makes me totally sure he will be an All Time Great.
He is reported to have nearly insane dedication to the Game.. is an almost manic worker and a Strong Leader.. some Scouts compared his drive to Kobe's ..
He is also a highly Intelligent Kid. One of the smartest 19yo i have every seen.. maybe THE smartest.
He has Lebrons or Magics BBIQ and Approach but seems to be already be more focused and mature at 19yo.

If those reports about his drive are true.. we could have a Generational Player before our eyes.
Talent alone doesnt make you a ATG.. you have to work tirelessly. And i think Ben has that drive.

Think a cross between Lamar Odom and Lebron James... and now give that scary Player Kobe's work ethic and drive.
yikes

If his work ethic is compared to Kobe's why isn't the skill work showing up on offense? Did this just start?


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[Brapman]

High IQ, never shooting open shots....

Sorry, that's low BB IQ, not high BB IQ.

unless he totally stinks at shooting, in which case his Kobe work ethic thing can't be true.

[Brapman]

Again, I like this guy, but the hyperbole on this site is sometimes beyond reason. I would not take him over Porzingis, Towns, AD, Drummond,

[EMG518]

High IQ, never shooting open shots....

Sorry, that's low BB IQ, not high BB IQ.

unless he totally stinks at shooting, in which case his Kobe work ethic thing can't be true.

High bball iq, smart enough to know his jumper isnt his strong suit and he would be best served getting a better look or one for a teammate.

[Prez]

Again, I like this guy, but the hyperbole on this site is sometimes beyond reason. I would not take him over Porzingis, Towns, AD, Drummond,

That's the Pistons fan in you speaking.

[Duke4life831]

Again, I like this guy, but the hyperbole on this site is sometimes beyond reason. I would not take him over Porzingis, Towns, AD, Drummond,

Agreed. Hes a solid prospect, but ya I think to many are buying into the extremely high hype. I agree with I wouldnt take him over any of those guys except Drummond.

[doordoor123]

Yeah, I heard that quote, too. I agree with everything in your post. I have yet to see anything from/about Simmons that leads me to believe he'll be anything less than one of the best ever. I know that's getting a million miles ahead of myself, but that's what we do here. In any case, I've personally never been more excited by a prospect.

I see we think and feel very simillar about Ben.

His Size,Strenght,Speed,Handling,Touch,Vision,Rebounding etc all those "talent" based things make him a special talent.
His Personality is what makes me totally sure he will be an All Time Great.
He is reported to have nearly insane dedication to the Game.. is an almost manic worker and a Strong Leader.. some Scouts compared his drive to Kobe's ..
He is also a highly Intelligent Kid. One of the smartest 19yo i have every seen.. maybe THE smartest.
He has Lebrons or Magics BBIQ and Approach but seems to be already be more focused and mature at 19yo.

If those reports about his drive are true.. we could have a Generational Player before our eyes.
Talent alone doesnt make you a ATG.. you have to work tirelessly. And i think Ben has that drive.

Think a cross between Lamar Odom and Lebron James... and now give that scary Player Kobe's work ethic and drive.
yikes

If his work ethic is compared to Kobe's why isn't the skill work showing up on offense? Did this just start?


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Growing body can be hard to cope with. He's gaining size and muscle so his shot likely feels different. When I was 8 and when I was 16, my shot was completely different because I gained muscle, I got bigger and I got smarter. I also had more experience. The issue is that I actually became a worse shooter. I had to relearn the basics. It's muscle memory and perspective. Both are tough for a lot of players to grasp. Some players just don't have a good enough muscle memory and some can't handle the new size or added strength. It can go either way for him.

Having said that I LOVE players with one big flaw because once they enter the league, their number one goal is to prove that one big flaw wrong. I have faith Jahlil Okafor will be a serviceable defender in the NBA one day and I have faith Simmons will be able to shoot one day.

[scrabbarista]

He has a PER over 36 and he's a freshman. And that's not even close to being the most impressive thing about him. It's not in the Top 10.

People knocking his work ethic, have you watched a single game? He finishes with both hands from virtually any angle inside 10 feet. He handles the point and he's 6'10''. People acting like the ability to do that is something a person is born with, like running point doesn't require skill, are just ridiculous. I usually make a habit of not replying to stupid comments, but I've seen this from multiple posters, all seemingly sincere.

There are more skills in basketball than shooting.

And he's not even that bad of a shooter.

And he's 19.

I have to wonder if all these people are just imagining Stephen Curry (at what now, 27? and the greatest shooter ever) when they knock his ball skills and shooting touch.

[scrabbarista]

Good find. Unsurprisingly, it's exactly what scouts have been saying: it's not perfection, but it's not broke(n).

Watching him this season, I sometimes wonder if he's doing what Bird used to do and giving himself an artificial challenge to make the game more interesting for himself (i.e., no jumpers). I know he's probably not messing with his team's fortunes like that, but it's just a thought.

It seems like a lot of people are equating no/low attempts with no/low ability. Just silliness.

Ben said he wont take jumpers until HE feels he can hit them at a rate that satisfies him.
So it could very well be that he wont take more then 10 threes his rookie year.. 20 his sophmore.. and then suddenly shoots a respectable 32-35% his 3rd year on over 2 or 3 threes a game.

Its so unique to say "i will not shoot jumpers till i feel i am GOOD at shooting jumpers" .. we are not used to a 19yo Kid with THAT much amount of BBIQ and perfectionism.

Yeah, I heard that quote, too. I agree with everything in your post. I have yet to see anything from/about Simmons that leads me to believe he'll be anything less than one of the best ever. I know that's getting a million miles ahead of myself, but that's what we do here. In any case, I've personally never been more excited by a prospect.

What I've always felt cheated out of: Passing Kobe.

Haha, I'm just playing. (Although I have always wished Kobe would pass more. And felt he could've gone up a level if he'd just shared the ball more willingly.)

I don't know whether this is just a personal preference or whether it's something, but the one thing I've wanted to see more of from Simmons is... like... smiling. So hearing the Kobe thing makes some sense.

Anyway, that's a pretty minor gripe. I do think he's the most exciting pre-professional I've ever seen, and I'll be 35 soon. I am NOT saying he'll be better than Lebron. Just that he'll be more fun to watch - and I'm speaking as a fan of fundamentals, efficiency, and the beautiful game.

[Dcebucks11]

High IQ, never shooting open shots....

Sorry, that's low BB IQ, not high BB IQ.

unless he totally stinks at shooting, in which case his Kobe work ethic thing can't be true.

That's not low BB IQ at all.. He can't shoot, he's got a terrible jumper and really poor mechanics.. I don't know people can't admit that here..

He's got a very high BB IQ and takes shots he knows he has a high percentage at making and he throws dimes like no other.. His feel for the game is very high.

Btw, I would easily take him over Kristaps and Drummond.. No question about it and over any 1 guy on my own Bucks..

[sikma42]

He has a PER over 36 and he's a freshman. And that's not even close to being the most impressive thing about him. It's not in the Top 10.

People knocking his work ethic, have you watched a single game? He finishes with both hands from virtually any angle inside 10 feet. He handles the point and he's 6'10''. People acting like the ability to do that is something a person is born with, like running point doesn't require skill, are just ridiculous. I usually make a habit of not replying to stupid comments, but I've seen this from multiple posters, all seemingly sincere.

There are more skills in basketball than shooting.

And he's not even that bad of a shooter.

And he's 19.

I have to wonder if all these people are just imagining Stephen Curry (at what now, 27? and the greatest shooter ever) when they knock his ball skills and shooting touch.

A lot of the stuff that Simmons excels at are things that he is born with. He doesnt have an advanced handle and his ability to finish is based largely on athleticism. The stuff that shows up after time in the gym isnt there yet. Its not a knock on him, but comparing his work ethic to Kobe when he doesnt have a post move or a 10 foot jumper at 19 is odd...either there is a big talent difference or he isnt working that hard.

Kobe at 17 was a skilled beast (the age he was as a started his rookie season). He was extremely advanced in multiple facets of the game. Simmons at 19 is really comparable and this is with the help of actually playing for the Mens National Team to advance development.

[HotelVitale]

He has a PER over 36 and he's a freshman.

Not a knock on Simmons, but a PER of 36 in the NCAA doesn't, like, speak volumes. Diamond Stone's got a PER of 33 now, and some sophomore center named Isaac Haas has a PER over 32. It's a good sign, and it's currently leading the NCAA (over Brice Johnson) but it basically just tells us his counting stats are great.

[deflated]

The weird thing about Simmons' jump shot is the timeline. There are plenty of mixtapes floating around with him making 3pt shots for Montverde. He was willing to shoot from outside on the preseason tour of Australia, made enough of them to be useful. Then he hits the college regular season and completely cuts mid- and long-range jump shots out of his game. It's not that his shot is good or bad, he changed a basic part of his game and got rid of them.

It has to be either coaching or a conscious decision on his part. I'll give the coaches the benefit of the doubt and assume they aren't that misguided (hard to tell with the way that team is playing). If it's his decision then why did he make the choice? The LSU roster was stacked with (supposedly) good outside shooters, maybe he sees his most productive role as distributor/slasher. Maybe he really is a perfectionist and won't take them until he's happy. Maybe he sees playing at the rim as the easiest path to winning in college ball. Whatever it is it's interesting that 1) he's willing to adjust his game that much and 2) he's thinking that much about his game.

[scrabbarista]

He has a PER over 36 and he's a freshman. And that's not even close to being the most impressive thing about him. It's not in the Top 10.

People knocking his work ethic, have you watched a single game? He finishes with both hands from virtually any angle inside 10 feet. He handles the point and he's 6'10''. People acting like the ability to do that is something a person is born with, like running point doesn't require skill, are just ridiculous. I usually make a habit of not replying to stupid comments, but I've seen this from multiple posters, all seemingly sincere.

There are more skills in basketball than shooting.

And he's not even that bad of a shooter.

And he's 19.

I have to wonder if all these people are just imagining Stephen Curry (at what now, 27? and the greatest shooter ever) when they knock his ball skills and shooting touch.

A lot of the stuff that Simmons excels at are things that he is born with. He doesnt have an advanced handle and his ability to finish is based largely on athleticism. The stuff that shows up after time in the gym isnt there yet. Its not a knock on him, but comparing his work ethic to Kobe when he doesnt have a post move or a 10 foot jumper at 19 is odd...either there is a big talent difference or he isnt working that hard.

Kobe at 17 was a skilled beast (the age he was as a started his rookie season). He was extremely advanced in multiple facets of the game. Simmons at 19 is really comparable and this is with the help of actually playing for the Mens National Team to advance development.

Can you name one 6'10'' player in the history of basketball, if it isn't Ben Simmons, who had an "advanced handle" at the age of 19?

He finishes with both hands, not just on drives, but on post-ups and even spot ups in the paint.

As for comparing his work ethic to Kobe, that's not something I've ever done, so I don't feel the need to respond to it, other than to say that if you're 19 and people are comparing your work ethic to the guy with the most notoriously intense work ethic in the history of the game, that can only be a good thing. "Extremely advanced in multiple facets of the game" sounds like something Jay Bilas is going to be saying this summer when the number one pick is made, tbh.

One won't thing I won't disagree with is that he was born with a lot. A whole hell of a lot. Among other things, he had the highest recorded sprint in camp history from baseline to baseline at one of the big HS events - I forget whether it was Nike Hoops or ABCD or what. Wake up, people.

I just can't believe the amount of doubt (I won't call it hate) that this guy is getting. "Sure, he's leading the NCAA in PER as a freshman, but only by 4." Haha. Hilarious.

[Rastas]

I believe Simmons intensive strength workouts are the reason he is shooting less this season .
The kid has put on about 15lbs recently and his strength is through the roof .
Adding weight quickly can throw out your shooting dynamics , and being alot stonger probably gives him more confidence to finish at the rim.
Once his body settles on a comfortable playing size his shooting confidence should return .
Am expecting this kid to be a 6-10 260lb franchise monster in a few years , MVP level monster!

[First pick]

First Pick, keep it up and you won't make it to second post.

[sikma42]

He has a PER over 36 and he's a freshman. And that's not even close to being the most impressive thing about him. It's not in the Top 10.

People knocking his work ethic, have you watched a single game? He finishes with both hands from virtually any angle inside 10 feet. He handles the point and he's 6'10''. People acting like the ability to do that is something a person is born with, like running point doesn't require skill, are just ridiculous. I usually make a habit of not replying to stupid comments, but I've seen this from multiple posters, all seemingly sincere.

There are more skills in basketball than shooting.

And he's not even that bad of a shooter.

And he's 19.

I have to wonder if all these people are just imagining Stephen Curry (at what now, 27? and the greatest shooter ever) when they knock his ball skills and shooting touch.

A lot of the stuff that Simmons excels at are things that he is born with. He doesnt have an advanced handle and his ability to finish is based largely on athleticism. The stuff that shows up after time in the gym isnt there yet. Its not a knock on him, but comparing his work ethic to Kobe when he doesnt have a post move or a 10 foot jumper at 19 is odd...either there is a big talent difference or he isnt working that hard.

Kobe at 17 was a skilled beast (the age he was as a started his rookie season). He was extremely advanced in multiple facets of the game. Simmons at 19 is really comparable and this is with the help of actually playing for the Mens National Team to advance development.

Can you name one 6'10'' player in the history of basketball, if it isn't Ben Simmons, who had an "advanced handle" at the age of 19?

He finishes with both hands, not just on drives, but on post-ups and even spot ups in the paint.

As for comparing his work ethic to Kobe, that's not something I've ever done, so I don't feel the need to respond to it, other than to say that if you're 19 and people are comparing your work ethic to the guy with the most notoriously intense work ethic in the history of the game, that can only be a good thing. "Extremely advanced in multiple facets of the game" sounds like something Jay Bilas is going to be saying this summer when the number one pick is made, tbh.

One won't thing I won't disagree with is that he was born with a lot. A whole hell of a lot. Among other things, he had the highest recorded sprint in camp history from baseline to baseline at one of the big HS events - I forget whether it was Nike Hoops or ABCD or what. Wake up, people.

I just can't believe the amount of doubt (I won't call it hate) that this guy is getting. "Sure, he's leading the NCAA in PER as a freshman, but only by 4." Haha. Hilarious.

He is going to be the number one pick and is extremely talented. Nothing I said goes against this. You quoted a post that was in response to comparing his work ethic to the legendary Kobe Bryant (top 10 basketball player of all time). You didn't address that.

also, "spot ups in the paint?" Thanks for that






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