[Bankroll PJParticipant]

Just read an article by draftexpress’s top ananlyst Jonathon Givony explaining why Ben Simmons is no longer the top prospect. In it he explains what he thinks are Simmons’ character flaws. I, personally, think he’s overreacting but do you all think Simmons has real character flaws and enough to not make him the top prospect? Even if he doesn’t play as hard as every other top prospect (which I don’t think is true) he still averaged 20, 12, and 5 on a disastrous team. While I do think there is reason to have concerns, I don’t think it’s enough to displace him from being the #1 prospect. 

 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 The link isn’t working but if you google "Jonathan Givony Ben Simmons" you’ll find it

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 The link isn’t working but if you google "Jonathan Givony Ben Simmons" you’ll find it

[ChoppyParticipant]

 Givony has never been high on Simmons. At the beginning of the year he always had Skal ahead of him. Not saying Simmons doesn’t have issues, but Givony is a little biased in this. 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 Givony has never been high on Simmons. At the beginning of the year he always had Skal ahead of him. Not saying Simmons doesn’t have issues, but Givony is a little biased in this. 

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

Outside of Philly and maybe Los Angeles, I still probably think every other team in the lottery should take him number one. I think some are going too far with mentioning Michael Beasley but I think a lot of people went too far to begin with at the beginning of the season. The various people on this site putting him in the same breath as LeBron James or Magic Johnson and the hype that various media personalities, especially on ESPN, were putting out there was crazy. Most high school and draft scouts that I respect never thought of him like that and were confused as I was when all of that hype was being spewed out last spring. 

I feel like people are just finding out about his attitude/personality concerns, which were already very much exhibited while he was in high school. I do think it was exasperated due to the lackluster nature of LSU’s season though. It’s a problem and I think it’ll probably always be one but I don’t think it’ll deter him from being a good player or even a high-level starter. To me, he’ll be in the same class of guys with personality flaws like James Harden, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard, who most of us look at and say their personalities aren’t idea for a leader but 30 out of 30 teams would still take them. 

Then there’s the shooting concerns and to me, it’s not bad like as if he’s like an under 50% FT shooter like DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard or Andre Drummond. His FT% was at 67.0% overall and 66.3% in conference play and in his AAU Squad, E1T1, in the Nike EYBL, he was at 62.7% on 102 attempts in 13 games and was 69.1% in 42 attempts in the NBPA Top 100 in 2014 in 8 games. Now, he has that little hitch but it shows that he can grow into a modest shooter since it isn’t so bad. The problem was that he was passing off shots, which to me was a Johnny Jones problem because I know damn sure Calipari or Self wouldn’t just allow him to just be that passive. Jones sort of let him do whatever he felt on the court and if he has a strong enough coach in NBA, I think he’ll not pass off shot as much, even though it’s probably in his nature to do so. Plus, I think today’s NBA culture with fans interactions be heard more through social media and the growth in the general journalistic media with NBA coverage presses more on high lottery pick guys with that superstar potential and holds them accountable to grow as players, so that’ll probably put his feet to the fire for him to work harder. 

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

Outside of Philly and maybe Los Angeles, I still probably think every other team in the lottery should take him number one. I think some are going too far with mentioning Michael Beasley but I think a lot of people went too far to begin with at the beginning of the season. The various people on this site putting him in the same breath as LeBron James or Magic Johnson and the hype that various media personalities, especially on ESPN, were putting out there was crazy. Most high school and draft scouts that I respect never thought of him like that and were confused as I was when all of that hype was being spewed out last spring. 

I feel like people are just finding out about his attitude/personality concerns, which were already very much exhibited while he was in high school. I do think it was exasperated due to the lackluster nature of LSU’s season though. It’s a problem and I think it’ll probably always be one but I don’t think it’ll deter him from being a good player or even a high-level starter. To me, he’ll be in the same class of guys with personality flaws like James Harden, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard, who most of us look at and say their personalities aren’t idea for a leader but 30 out of 30 teams would still take them. 

Then there’s the shooting concerns and to me, it’s not bad like as if he’s like an under 50% FT shooter like DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard or Andre Drummond. His FT% was at 67.0% overall and 66.3% in conference play and in his AAU Squad, E1T1, in the Nike EYBL, he was at 62.7% on 102 attempts in 13 games and was 69.1% in 42 attempts in the NBPA Top 100 in 2014 in 8 games. Now, he has that little hitch but it shows that he can grow into a modest shooter since it isn’t so bad. The problem was that he was passing off shots, which to me was a Johnny Jones problem because I know damn sure Calipari or Self wouldn’t just allow him to just be that passive. Jones sort of let him do whatever he felt on the court and if he has a strong enough coach in NBA, I think he’ll not pass off shot as much, even though it’s probably in his nature to do so. Plus, I think today’s NBA culture with fans interactions be heard more through social media and the growth in the general journalistic media with NBA coverage presses more on high lottery pick guys with that superstar potential and holds them accountable to grow as players, so that’ll probably put his feet to the fire for him to work harder. 

[Arc12345Participant]

 I couldn’t agree more. I’m so done with Ben Simmons. Incredibly overrated and the attitude is troubling.

 

[Arc12345Participant]

 I couldn’t agree more. I’m so done with Ben Simmons. Incredibly overrated and the attitude is troubling.

 

[TheGuyParticipant]

 I was early on being open to the idea that Ingram was worthy of being considered the #1 pick, but that had more to do with what I thought of Ingram as a player, than being negative on Simmons, unlike just about everyone else that likes to play body language doctor or ripping the kid. Granted he might have some inmaturity issues. I think these new takes on Simmons are all too predictable. Simmons should’ve never gone to a team like LSU. Team full of players who’s talent and basketball IQ isn’t even in the same area code as Simmons, it’s like a kid who is on trigonometry while everyone else is still learning multiplication, I’m sure it’s very frustrating for him. Hell, the coach is a terrible coach and Simmons probably knows more about the game than him.

That said, as a NBA prospect his shooting is a concern, and I worry if he can play off the ball and still be impactful. Because we’ve seen players (James Harden) who need the ball in their hands, poudning the rock, slowing down the offense and killing the flow and movement. 

I would still lean towards picking Simmons first, I’d have to really find some serious red flags while doing some background checks if I were a team, or really really fall in love with Ingram (who I really like, but I have some concerns with him as a player).

However, long term, it might be best for Simmons if this negativty keeps building and building and he doesn’t go #1, it would give him a lot of motivation, which he might need as a kid who’s been hyped and praised his entire early career.

 

 

 

 

[TheGuyParticipant]

 I was early on being open to the idea that Ingram was worthy of being considered the #1 pick, but that had more to do with what I thought of Ingram as a player, than being negative on Simmons, unlike just about everyone else that likes to play body language doctor or ripping the kid. Granted he might have some inmaturity issues. I think these new takes on Simmons are all too predictable. Simmons should’ve never gone to a team like LSU. Team full of players who’s talent and basketball IQ isn’t even in the same area code as Simmons, it’s like a kid who is on trigonometry while everyone else is still learning multiplication, I’m sure it’s very frustrating for him. Hell, the coach is a terrible coach and Simmons probably knows more about the game than him.

That said, as a NBA prospect his shooting is a concern, and I worry if he can play off the ball and still be impactful. Because we’ve seen players (James Harden) who need the ball in their hands, poudning the rock, slowing down the offense and killing the flow and movement. 

I would still lean towards picking Simmons first, I’d have to really find some serious red flags while doing some background checks if I were a team, or really really fall in love with Ingram (who I really like, but I have some concerns with him as a player).

However, long term, it might be best for Simmons if this negativty keeps building and building and he doesn’t go #1, it would give him a lot of motivation, which he might need as a kid who’s been hyped and praised his entire early career.

 

 

 

 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 Those are fair points about bad coaching and not having the best teammates but Simmons chose LSU.  If he wanted a better coach and a better supporting cast then he should have gone to a Kentucky or Duke instead.    

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 Those are fair points about bad coaching and not having the best teammates but Simmons chose LSU.  If he wanted a better coach and a better supporting cast then he should have gone to a Kentucky or Duke instead.    

[TheGuyParticipant]

 I agree, but I don’t fault him for not wanting to be different and go somewhere else, I actually appriciate kids willing to go outside the pro factory schools. I know he had a connection with an assistant at LSU, and who knows maybe he really liked the campus. LSU is also big fun party school in the south. These players are allowed to have other intrests besides basketball that factor into chosing a school. Granted, Simmons had no interest in going to class.

[TheGuyParticipant]

 I agree, but I don’t fault him for not wanting to be different and go somewhere else, I actually appriciate kids willing to go outside the pro factory schools. I know he had a connection with an assistant at LSU, and who knows maybe he really liked the campus. LSU is also big fun party school in the south. These players are allowed to have other intrests besides basketball that factor into chosing a school. Granted, Simmons had no interest in going to class.

[BleedGreen808Participant]

The assistant played pro ball with Simmon’s dad in Australia and was a huge reason he went to LSU.  Hopefully now that he’s done with college he’ll spend all his time working on his game.  If he goes into workouts with an improved jumpshot it would be really hard to not take him #1 overall.  

[BleedGreen808Participant]

The assistant played pro ball with Simmon’s dad in Australia and was a huge reason he went to LSU.  Hopefully now that he’s done with college he’ll spend all his time working on his game.  If he goes into workouts with an improved jumpshot it would be really hard to not take him #1 overall.  

[llperez]

there are a ton of reasons to be down on simmons right now and the concerns are legit, but at the end of the day there is not a single player that I would take over him. ill risk the attitude considering the other options. I like ingram, but he is not a better prospect then simmons.

[llperez]

there are a ton of reasons to be down on simmons right now and the concerns are legit, but at the end of the day there is not a single player that I would take over him. ill risk the attitude considering the other options. I like ingram, but he is not a better prospect then simmons.

[negguaryParticipant]

Based on what? What makes Ingram not a better prospect? Especially factoring the bad attitude and being a bad teammate. Ingram is already a better defender and shooter. Two way potential. Has a longer wing span, and can not dish as well as simmons but is a capable passer. So again I ask based on what?

[llperez]

I just typed a fucking essay on my reasoning and then one single misplaced finger swipe and my whole fucking post went away. Fucking bullshit!!! Im not going through the trouble of retyping all that. Lets just revisit this in a few years.

[negguaryParticipant]

I’m not going for it! What probably happened is you wrote a whole essay, and read it back to yourself and even you couldn’t believe it, or said these aren’t actually facts. So you said let’s revisit this in a few years just in case he is better i can say I told you so! HAHAHA

[llperez]

Yes, when I say Simmons is better and you say he’s not and I say let’s revisit it in few years so we one of us can say see I told you so. That’s the point not sure what the haha is for.

[negguaryParticipant]

???? HAHAHA

[negguaryParticipant]

???? HAHAHA

[llperez]

Yes, when I say Simmons is better and you say he’s not and I say let’s revisit it in few years so we one of us can say see I told you so. That’s the point not sure what the haha is for.

[negguaryParticipant]

I’m not going for it! What probably happened is you wrote a whole essay, and read it back to yourself and even you couldn’t believe it, or said these aren’t actually facts. So you said let’s revisit this in a few years just in case he is better i can say I told you so! HAHAHA

[llperez]

I just typed a fucking essay on my reasoning and then one single misplaced finger swipe and my whole fucking post went away. Fucking bullshit!!! Im not going through the trouble of retyping all that. Lets just revisit this in a few years.

[negguaryParticipant]

Based on what? What makes Ingram not a better prospect? Especially factoring the bad attitude and being a bad teammate. Ingram is already a better defender and shooter. Two way potential. Has a longer wing span, and can not dish as well as simmons but is a capable passer. So again I ask based on what?

[losnopesosParticipant]

 Tell me why Ben Simmons is so good?  He is not a leader by any stretch of the imagine, he can’t manage to fake he was through Cs in freshmen college (BIG red flag, no matter how you want to spin it).  Seems to me he’s a good passer for a big guy, and that’s it.  This is the media trying to find the next _____.  Ben Simmons is the next Brandon Jennings.

[losnopesosParticipant]

 Tell me why Ben Simmons is so good?  He is not a leader by any stretch of the imagine, he can’t manage to fake he was through Cs in freshmen college (BIG red flag, no matter how you want to spin it).  Seems to me he’s a good passer for a big guy, and that’s it.  This is the media trying to find the next _____.  Ben Simmons is the next Brandon Jennings.

[TheGuyParticipant]

 no it’s not. he clearly didn’t go to class in the spring semester because he knew he didn’t need to because he was done after the season. 

[TheGuyParticipant]

 no it’s not. he clearly didn’t go to class in the spring semester because he knew he didn’t need to because he was done after the season. 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Let’s not undermine his abilities too much. He’s a good rebounder, finisher, ball handler, and athlete as well. He doesn’t have the highest vertical or longest arms, but his lateral agility with the ball and at his size is great. He’s going to make a living at the free throw line. Think bigger Julius Randle with more passing. 

 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Let’s not undermine his abilities too much. He’s a good rebounder, finisher, ball handler, and athlete as well. He doesn’t have the highest vertical or longest arms, but his lateral agility with the ball and at his size is great. He’s going to make a living at the free throw line. Think bigger Julius Randle with more passing. 

 

[mercyman25Participant]

 He’s kinda tricky. If he goes to a team that are perennial losers he will be terrible(Michael Beasley 2.0). If he goes to a team that is close to winning he could be a great piece. Suns would probably be his best destination, Philadelphia the worst. He just seems like he has a lot of quit in him. Time will tell.

[mercyman25Participant]

 He’s kinda tricky. If he goes to a team that are perennial losers he will be terrible(Michael Beasley 2.0). If he goes to a team that is close to winning he could be a great piece. Suns would probably be his best destination, Philadelphia the worst. He just seems like he has a lot of quit in him. Time will tell.

[losnopesosParticipant]

 OK, so he can’t shoot…at all.  He can’t jump…doesn’t have long arms, doesn’t have big hands…  He is a good passer.  Can you say anything about his attitude?  You can call him a quitter, I think.  If you can’t fake to go to class do you think he’s going to play hard after he signs a contract??

[losnopesosParticipant]

 OK, so he can’t shoot…at all.  He can’t jump…doesn’t have long arms, doesn’t have big hands…  He is a good passer.  Can you say anything about his attitude?  You can call him a quitter, I think.  If you can’t fake to go to class do you think he’s going to play hard after he signs a contract??

[MopgrassParticipant]

I don’t buy the article. I think a GM or 2 is trying to bring his stock down. Ingram is my favorite, but I still believe Simmons goes 1st. Clearly, Geovany doesn’t think he should go 1st and he’s been looking for a reason. Some GM gave him a reason. 

Generally, the draft "community" overreacts at any news. I think Shabbazz Muhammad was a casualty of that, Myles Turner was (ridiculous nitpicking… his running form?) and this year Skal Labisierre might be. People nitpick and, usually, your 1st reaction to a player is the right one. Simmons is exceptional and if Ingram were expected to go 1st we’d all have found some unforgivable flaw. 

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

 What you call nitpicking, I call scouting.

Like Turner’s running form was a serious issue and he fixed it but that wasn’t ridiculous at all. And if Muhammad and Labissierre weren’t nitpicked, they’d probably end up being top five, which we know they shouldn’t have been.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Labissiere hasn’t even been drafted yet. Furthermore he hasn’t even declared for the draft or finished his amateur career. Give the guy a break he has awesome talent but absolutely lacks experience.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Labissiere hasn’t even been drafted yet. Furthermore he hasn’t even declared for the draft or finished his amateur career. Give the guy a break he has awesome talent but absolutely lacks experience.

[MopgrassParticipant]

 No, it’s not scouting. It’s taking scouting information and blowing it out of proportion. It’s having no sense of scale. It’s not having the ability to prioritize which traits are most important. That, my friend, is nitpicking. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 No, it’s not scouting. It’s taking scouting information and blowing it out of proportion. It’s having no sense of scale. It’s not having the ability to prioritize which traits are most important. That, my friend, is nitpicking. 

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

 What you call nitpicking, I call scouting.

Like Turner’s running form was a serious issue and he fixed it but that wasn’t ridiculous at all. And if Muhammad and Labissierre weren’t nitpicked, they’d probably end up being top five, which we know they shouldn’t have been.

[lalailaParticipant]

 I agree with you completely. I never could understand scouting reports about Turner’s "akward running" LOL

I mean I dont here how he looks when he run, the guy showed on workouts he is still pretty athletic very lond 6’11 three point shooting guy with huge upside..

And guess what, he looks like a furu All Star

 

 

[lalailaParticipant]

 I agree with you completely. I never could understand scouting reports about Turner’s "akward running" LOL

I mean I dont here how he looks when he run, the guy showed on workouts he is still pretty athletic very lond 6’11 three point shooting guy with huge upside..

And guess what, he looks like a furu All Star

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

I don’t buy the article. I think a GM or 2 is trying to bring his stock down. Ingram is my favorite, but I still believe Simmons goes 1st. Clearly, Geovany doesn’t think he should go 1st and he’s been looking for a reason. Some GM gave him a reason. 

Generally, the draft "community" overreacts at any news. I think Shabbazz Muhammad was a casualty of that, Myles Turner was (ridiculous nitpicking… his running form?) and this year Skal Labisierre might be. People nitpick and, usually, your 1st reaction to a player is the right one. Simmons is exceptional and if Ingram were expected to go 1st we’d all have found some unforgivable flaw. 

[Hype Machine]

 The article is because Woj has a long running vendetta with Lebron and Rich Paul. Find me an article where Woj says anything nice about these guys. I’ll find you several where he’s trying to discredit them. 

Givony is working under Woj at the Vertical now. And its no coincidence that Simmons has gone to #2 as a result of signing with Rich Paul. Their mock draft is based on team need…before the lottery. Thats stupid…and its never been like that til now. 

Yahoo Sports has a bleak future so Woj is going out on a limb with ‘The vertical’. I’m not backing it to be a success. He is trying to fill a void left by Yahoo and Grantland but with Bill Simmon’s new independent project, Id say Woj is going to struggle without a platform like Yahoo to operate from. 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 The article is because Woj has a long running vendetta with Lebron and Rich Paul. Find me an article where Woj says anything nice about these guys. I’ll find you several where he’s trying to discredit them. 

Givony is working under Woj at the Vertical now. And its no coincidence that Simmons has gone to #2 as a result of signing with Rich Paul. Their mock draft is based on team need…before the lottery. Thats stupid…and its never been like that til now. 

Yahoo Sports has a bleak future so Woj is going out on a limb with ‘The vertical’. I’m not backing it to be a success. He is trying to fill a void left by Yahoo and Grantland but with Bill Simmon’s new independent project, Id say Woj is going to struggle without a platform like Yahoo to operate from. 

 

 

 

 

[daggers818Participant]

Crazy idea:  Simmons purposely hurting his draft stock to give Lakers better chance of getting him????   He really wants to end up in L.A.

[daggers818Participant]

Crazy idea:  Simmons purposely hurting his draft stock to give Lakers better chance of getting him????   He really wants to end up in L.A.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 What about a new lowered comparison for Ben Simmons: Ed O’Bannon.

A 3 who basically ran the whole team, scored, rebounded, handled the ball, and passed the rock on a UCLA title team.  Not a YUGE athlete nor a great shooter. 

You would think he would do at least SOMETHING in the pro’s.  Guess not.  Went to a bad team (Nets) and didn’d do much of anything.

Lack of elite athleticism, a true position, and any shooting touch really hurts. 

I think Ben Simmons could move down to 2 or 3 IF the projected UPSIDE (reasonably) is closer to Boris Diaw and Lamar Odom than LeBron James.  –

You have had a guy like Ed O’Bannon put a team on his back and take them to the title.  Another similar guy, a 6’10 forward even, was Danny Manning and he led Kansas to the championship.  Now, neither guy was a freshman, but Carmelo led his team to a championship as a freshman, and, of course, the Fab Five went to the title game. 

Unless the Grizzlies Rec League All Stars COMPLETELY IMPLODE (even more) then we won’t have a shot at a top 3 pick.  Glad we don’t have the top pick this year.

Lots of value at 3 and 4, then about 10-20.  1-2 and about 6-9 or so don’t have as much value.  I would rather be at 3, OR, around 14 in this draft.

If you are someone like me who values shooting and scoring, then you have to look at Buddy Hield with the top pick.  He does both in volumes and can also rebound and is pretty athletic.  What more can you ask for?  If the guy was 6’6 or 6’7 he would be 1 or 2 on MOST mocks right now… 

Just seems like there is such a premium on shooting and scoring now.  Spacing creates as many easy (or easier) baskets as do virtuoso passing.  The Warriors get great looks.  The Spurs get great looks.  Neither has LeBron James. 

Ben Simmons might not be a matchup nightmare.  The length and athleticism on the NBA level is at another level.  Possible that Simmons can be guarded by the majority of small forwards AND power forwards.  Then he doesn’t really stretch the floor.  Guys like him, or Diaw, or Danny Manning, Lamar Odom, or even Draymond Green might be better off as 3rd or 4th options.  Core guys — but not the alpha beast or go-to guy down the stretch. 

I can then compare him to another young kid who was hyped up for years even though he had a better jumper.  Toni Kukoc might be another good comp.  A legit small forward with the length, height, and enough size to play the 4.  Not a great athlete, and a bit soft, but he was a GREAT fourth guy on those fantastic Bulls teams.  Now, how good would Kukoc have been without his long-distance shooting touch, and maybe in a different system that didn’t amplify his strengths and hide his weaknesses?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 What about a new lowered comparison for Ben Simmons: Ed O’Bannon.

A 3 who basically ran the whole team, scored, rebounded, handled the ball, and passed the rock on a UCLA title team.  Not a YUGE athlete nor a great shooter. 

You would think he would do at least SOMETHING in the pro’s.  Guess not.  Went to a bad team (Nets) and didn’d do much of anything.

Lack of elite athleticism, a true position, and any shooting touch really hurts. 

I think Ben Simmons could move down to 2 or 3 IF the projected UPSIDE (reasonably) is closer to Boris Diaw and Lamar Odom than LeBron James.  –

You have had a guy like Ed O’Bannon put a team on his back and take them to the title.  Another similar guy, a 6’10 forward even, was Danny Manning and he led Kansas to the championship.  Now, neither guy was a freshman, but Carmelo led his team to a championship as a freshman, and, of course, the Fab Five went to the title game. 

Unless the Grizzlies Rec League All Stars COMPLETELY IMPLODE (even more) then we won’t have a shot at a top 3 pick.  Glad we don’t have the top pick this year.

Lots of value at 3 and 4, then about 10-20.  1-2 and about 6-9 or so don’t have as much value.  I would rather be at 3, OR, around 14 in this draft.

If you are someone like me who values shooting and scoring, then you have to look at Buddy Hield with the top pick.  He does both in volumes and can also rebound and is pretty athletic.  What more can you ask for?  If the guy was 6’6 or 6’7 he would be 1 or 2 on MOST mocks right now… 

Just seems like there is such a premium on shooting and scoring now.  Spacing creates as many easy (or easier) baskets as do virtuoso passing.  The Warriors get great looks.  The Spurs get great looks.  Neither has LeBron James. 

Ben Simmons might not be a matchup nightmare.  The length and athleticism on the NBA level is at another level.  Possible that Simmons can be guarded by the majority of small forwards AND power forwards.  Then he doesn’t really stretch the floor.  Guys like him, or Diaw, or Danny Manning, Lamar Odom, or even Draymond Green might be better off as 3rd or 4th options.  Core guys — but not the alpha beast or go-to guy down the stretch. 

I can then compare him to another young kid who was hyped up for years even though he had a better jumper.  Toni Kukoc might be another good comp.  A legit small forward with the length, height, and enough size to play the 4.  Not a great athlete, and a bit soft, but he was a GREAT fourth guy on those fantastic Bulls teams.  Now, how good would Kukoc have been without his long-distance shooting touch, and maybe in a different system that didn’t amplify his strengths and hide his weaknesses?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The GoatParticipant]

I’d take Simmons #1. I love his game, but you have to be realistic. He’s going to be bringing a style of play with parts of his game resembling Evan Turner, Boris Diaw, Lamar Odom and the Greek Freak. He could bomb out or he could have a career better than all of those guys. He’s 19. He needs to train with NBA players in an NBA environment and develop.

We are talking about a guy that isn’t a scorer or shooter trying to carry a bad college team. If he averaged 40 and they still lost, people may incorrectly argue that makes him a better player. I disagree. He plays to his strengths.
Simmons needs to go somewhere with scorers so he can fill in seamlessly and propel them to the next level. If Philly or LA get #1, they are looking at the wrong guy unless they are very patient. But really, how much more patient can Philly fans be? Best fits are Minny and Boston.

[The GoatParticipant]

I’d take Simmons #1. I love his game, but you have to be realistic. He’s going to be bringing a style of play with parts of his game resembling Evan Turner, Boris Diaw, Lamar Odom and the Greek Freak. He could bomb out or he could have a career better than all of those guys. He’s 19. He needs to train with NBA players in an NBA environment and develop.

We are talking about a guy that isn’t a scorer or shooter trying to carry a bad college team. If he averaged 40 and they still lost, people may incorrectly argue that makes him a better player. I disagree. He plays to his strengths.
Simmons needs to go somewhere with scorers so he can fill in seamlessly and propel them to the next level. If Philly or LA get #1, they are looking at the wrong guy unless they are very patient. But really, how much more patient can Philly fans be? Best fits are Minny and Boston.

[Author]

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