[vulture711Participant]

This is really just soliciting opinions, but having watched a lot of Lakers games in the past – does anyone have an opinion on Simmons ability to be a full time NBA point guard ?  I was watching some tape on Magic and noting him backing down smaller defenders then seeing over the top to dish.  I could see Simmons doing this.   His handle and strength appear that he could bring it up and initiate the break.  Is his skill level unique enough for that to be his position – rather than a 3 or 4 ?  When he doesn’t have the ball he stands around quite a bit – he needs to be initiating and facilitating

I think Ingram fits better with the roster, but as the 1 – a larger Tony Wroten – I may change may tune

Thank you in advance 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JoeWolf1]

I think he’s such a good defensive rebounder, you can play him on at the 3 or 4 (thus being closer to the rim) and let him initiate the break there, rather than being reliant on an outlet pass.

Blake Griffin has gained the ability to do this pretty well as he’s matured as a player, and I think Simmons will be much better at this when all is said and done. I like the idea of him hauling in 7 or 8 defensive boards a game and pushing the tempo more than I like him lining up as a traditional point guard.

In the half court, Philly also has enough talent down low to run a high low style offense. The Gasol brothers, who are also adept passers, have done extremely well in this style, and I think Ben could as well. That 15 foot straight ahead jumper would be a constant drill if I had any impact on his development.

[vulture711Participant]

Magic did average 7 boards a game from the backcourt and Westbrook certainly cleans the glass from there.  I think checking opposing points would be a challenge – though those guys aren’t used to shooting over an athletic 6-10 guy 

[JoeWolf1]

I guess I’m not that enamored by a 6’9” lining up at the 1 spot. You’d have to have an ideal lineup to execute the kind of defensive fluidity that Magic enjoyed as a Laker. I think it’s safe to say the 2016-17 Sixers do not enjoy that luxury.

Magic was an All-Time great, but people often overlook at the fact he was surrounded by athletic, versatile defenders like Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes and Byron Scott during his career. Having that kind of versatility helped allow a moderately athletic 6’9” guy to run the point guard spot, or also play off the ball. Magic started at center in the 1980 NBA Finals, he played every position at one time or another during his NBA career ( but yes, the majority of his time was spent at PG).

Giannis put up MONSTER stats as a point guard after the ASG, but the Bucks lost at a fervent pace because they didn’t have the personnel to pull it off. I think Simmons has more value as a distributing 3 or 4, than a 1 who has to guard the 4 on defense. Just my opinion.

[JoeWolf1]

I guess I’m not that enamored by a 6’9” lining up at the 1 spot. You’d have to have an ideal lineup to execute the kind of defensive fluidity that Magic enjoyed as a Laker. I think it’s safe to say the 2016-17 Sixers do not enjoy that luxury.

Magic was an All-Time great, but people often overlook at the fact he was surrounded by athletic, versatile defenders like Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes and Byron Scott during his career. Having that kind of versatility helped allow a moderately athletic 6’9” guy to run the point guard spot, or also play off the ball. Magic started at center in the 1980 NBA Finals, he played every position at one time or another during his NBA career ( but yes, the majority of his time was spent at PG).

Giannis put up MONSTER stats as a point guard after the ASG, but the Bucks lost at a fervent pace because they didn’t have the personnel to pull it off. I think Simmons has more value as a distributing 3 or 4, than a 1 who has to guard the 4 on defense. Just my opinion.

[vulture711Participant]

Magic did average 7 boards a game from the backcourt and Westbrook certainly cleans the glass from there.  I think checking opposing points would be a challenge – though those guys aren’t used to shooting over an athletic 6-10 guy 

[JoeWolf1]

I think he’s such a good defensive rebounder, you can play him on at the 3 or 4 (thus being closer to the rim) and let him initiate the break there, rather than being reliant on an outlet pass.

Blake Griffin has gained the ability to do this pretty well as he’s matured as a player, and I think Simmons will be much better at this when all is said and done. I like the idea of him hauling in 7 or 8 defensive boards a game and pushing the tempo more than I like him lining up as a traditional point guard.

In the half court, Philly also has enough talent down low to run a high low style offense. The Gasol brothers, who are also adept passers, have done extremely well in this style, and I think Ben could as well. That 15 foot straight ahead jumper would be a constant drill if I had any impact on his development.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Most important in regards to Simmons I believe is not pigeon holing him into a specific position but let him serve as one of the pillars to where the league is going and that is positionless basketball.  I think he will indirectly see time at all 5 positions and that is a huge advantage to have.  He may end up being a jack of all trades and a master of none type player and that is absolutely fine in todays game.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Most important in regards to Simmons I believe is not pigeon holing him into a specific position but let him serve as one of the pillars to where the league is going and that is positionless basketball.  I think he will indirectly see time at all 5 positions and that is a huge advantage to have.  He may end up being a jack of all trades and a master of none type player and that is absolutely fine in todays game.

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 I believe his role will be like Giannis’. PG on offense, SF/PF/C on defense. Essentially a bigger, more skilled Draymond with less motor and shooting. Shooting is bound to improve but I don’t think motor is something that can be worked on, its a mindset/mentality.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Exactly. PG on offense, PF on defense. But he needs shooters around him. They can start two assassin SG’s (one needs to be quick enough to guard PG’s), an assassin SF, and a C next to him.

You can’t play him, Saric, Okafor, and Noel at the same time. Every shot would be within 10 feet. I think they could trade Okafor to the Celtics for the 3rd pick (plus more… Hunter?) and grab Jamal Murray. Then hope Stauskus comes around. They might even have to consider trading Saric. Saric is essentially Ben Simmons-light. He’d be a bit redundant and they’d have to consider trading him.

Embiid will help spread the floor and is an ideal paring with Simmons. Too bad he’ll probably cap out at 10-20 minutes a game (just a guess).

[MopgrassParticipant]

Exactly. PG on offense, PF on defense. But he needs shooters around him. They can start two assassin SG’s (one needs to be quick enough to guard PG’s), an assassin SF, and a C next to him.

You can’t play him, Saric, Okafor, and Noel at the same time. Every shot would be within 10 feet. I think they could trade Okafor to the Celtics for the 3rd pick (plus more… Hunter?) and grab Jamal Murray. Then hope Stauskus comes around. They might even have to consider trading Saric. Saric is essentially Ben Simmons-light. He’d be a bit redundant and they’d have to consider trading him.

Embiid will help spread the floor and is an ideal paring with Simmons. Too bad he’ll probably cap out at 10-20 minutes a game (just a guess).

[vulture711Participant]

Marcus Smart.  I think he plays the D and has the leadership this team needs.  Trades in your Division are tough and I’d cringe seeing Okafor, like Vucevic, ding us for 25-30 every time we play ! 

[vulture711Participant]

Marcus Smart.  I think he plays the D and has the leadership this team needs.  Trades in your Division are tough and I’d cringe seeing Okafor, like Vucevic, ding us for 25-30 every time we play ! 

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 I believe his role will be like Giannis’. PG on offense, SF/PF/C on defense. Essentially a bigger, more skilled Draymond with less motor and shooting. Shooting is bound to improve but I don’t think motor is something that can be worked on, its a mindset/mentality.

[Author]

Posts