[valentine]

As High School seasons are starting all around the country, it seems fitting to start a thread about the best HS player in the country – Ben Simmons.

No sooner than his schoolyard buddy Dante Exum is starting to prove he’s the real deal, Simmons amassed 34pts in the first 3 quarters in Montverde Academys opener as they aim for 3 straight HS national championships. 

LSU got a steal by signing him, and given his god-father is an assistant coach, there’s no certainty that he’s a one-and-done player. 

What is this guy’s ceiling? I personally don’t think there’s been a more skilled 6’9" player since Magic Johnson. 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

[ReekoParticipant]

 LeBron, I think you’re right. In my opinion Ben Simmons is the most skilled prospect at the highschool level since LeBron, more so than Parker or Wiggins. Reading about him talking ish to Chris Paul as he dismantles CP’s AAU squad, kind of proves to me that this kid is going to be a problem once he gets to the league.

[ReekoParticipant]

 LeBron, I think you’re right. In my opinion Ben Simmons is the most skilled prospect at the highschool level since LeBron, more so than Parker or Wiggins. Reading about him talking ish to Chris Paul as he dismantles CP’s AAU squad, kind of proves to me that this kid is going to be a problem once he gets to the league.

[ropeParticipant]

By a problem when he gets to the league, do you mean tough to guard or tough to control?  Everyone talks trash in AAU games.  It is not necessary when you are the best player or the court, but it is hardly a mortal sin.

[ropeParticipant]

By a problem when he gets to the league, do you mean tough to guard or tough to control?  Everyone talks trash in AAU games.  It is not necessary when you are the best player or the court, but it is hardly a mortal sin.

[ropeParticipant]

I am guessing you never saw Magic play in HS. I did, as my HS played against Lansing Everett when he was a junior and as a senior. I have only seen a couple of games of Simmons on TV (plus the obligatory mix tapes) and, though a apparently a great HS player, he is no Magic. The only two HS players I have seen that were as dominant as Magic in HS were LeBron and Shawn Kemp. Kemp didn’t end up being a Top 10 all time player (though he did probably end up a Top 10 all time dunker). Not quite sure what ever happened to that LeBron guy. 😉 Simmons has a good future ahead of him, but there is someone like him almost every year. Wiggins and Harrison Barnes looked upstoppable in HS, but have proven mortal as the moved along. That is what happens to most #1 recruits. It’s not a shame or anything, just the historical facts.

[ropeParticipant]

I am guessing you never saw Magic play in HS. I did, as my HS played against Lansing Everett when he was a junior and as a senior. I have only seen a couple of games of Simmons on TV (plus the obligatory mix tapes) and, though a apparently a great HS player, he is no Magic. The only two HS players I have seen that were as dominant as Magic in HS were LeBron and Shawn Kemp. Kemp didn’t end up being a Top 10 all time player (though he did probably end up a Top 10 all time dunker). Not quite sure what ever happened to that LeBron guy. 😉 Simmons has a good future ahead of him, but there is someone like him almost every year. Wiggins and Harrison Barnes looked upstoppable in HS, but have proven mortal as the moved along. That is what happens to most #1 recruits. It’s not a shame or anything, just the historical facts.

[ReekoParticipant]

 to him being difficult to guard. Sure everyone talks trash in AAU games, what surprised me was the fact that he yelled "Too Easy!" to Chris Paul as he eviscerated CP’s team. As far as the Wiggins and Barnes comparisons, I think they are invalid, neither one of those guys demonstrated the ball handling skills or passing skills that Ben Simmons demonstrates at this point in his career. I don’t understand how Wiggins has proven to be mortal, he just started his pro career so let’s give him some time before we throw him into the same "role player" category that Harrison seems to be destined for.

[ReekoParticipant]

 to him being difficult to guard. Sure everyone talks trash in AAU games, what surprised me was the fact that he yelled "Too Easy!" to Chris Paul as he eviscerated CP’s team. As far as the Wiggins and Barnes comparisons, I think they are invalid, neither one of those guys demonstrated the ball handling skills or passing skills that Ben Simmons demonstrates at this point in his career. I don’t understand how Wiggins has proven to be mortal, he just started his pro career so let’s give him some time before we throw him into the same "role player" category that Harrison seems to be destined for.

[ropeParticipant]

I see what you are saying,  He does look like a skilled offensive player and I don’t mind a guy being a little bit chippy.  Larry Bird and Michael Jordan both constantly reminded opponents that they were overmatched.

As far comparisons, I am not saying Barnes or Wiggins were similar to Simmons or even looking at pro potential.  Just saying that every year there is a "best since" player.  Jabari Parker was another one that got a "best since LeBron" label.  LeBron averaged 21 straight out of HS.  None of these guys did or likely will do that.  Comparisons always seem to be against all timers and that is not only usually unrealistic, it is probably not even fair to the players in question.  It makes good players seem like busts.

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2012/05/16/aaajabarix-inset-community.jpg

[ropeParticipant]

I see what you are saying,  He does look like a skilled offensive player and I don’t mind a guy being a little bit chippy.  Larry Bird and Michael Jordan both constantly reminded opponents that they were overmatched.

As far comparisons, I am not saying Barnes or Wiggins were similar to Simmons or even looking at pro potential.  Just saying that every year there is a "best since" player.  Jabari Parker was another one that got a "best since LeBron" label.  LeBron averaged 21 straight out of HS.  None of these guys did or likely will do that.  Comparisons always seem to be against all timers and that is not only usually unrealistic, it is probably not even fair to the players in question.  It makes good players seem like busts.

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2012/05/16/aaajabarix-inset-community.jpg

[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

 I personally think Ben Simmons will be a Lamar Odom type player, from what I’ve seen he’s nowhere near Tracy McGrady (neither was Wiggins to be honest, Tracy was an amazing passer, haven’t seen that from Wiggins yet). Now comparing him to Lamar Odom isn’t me slighting him, when Lamar Odom was motivated and not on drugs he was an amazing player, who could play the 3, the 4, and a little 5 in small lineups. He effectively ran the triangle and that’s a hard thing to do, you have to be versatile. Lamar was a top 10 pick, and I feel Ben will be a top 10 pick and deservedly so. I just feel Tracy could have been an all time great if not for the injuries. 

Lamar averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and a block for his career. He had seasons where he averaged over 5 assists, seasons where he averaged nearly 20 points, and seasons where he averaged over 10 rebounds. I think Ben is the same type of player, or maybe a more athletic Boris Diaw. But Ben Simmons isn’t some Zach LaVine/Andrew Wiggins type athlete, he’s good not great. 

I’m from Baton Rouge, and I’m a GTA at LSU, so I will be excited to see him play for free next year. I just hope Jarrell Martin and Jordan Mickey return for their junior years, to play with Ben, they could be LSU’s most talented team since Shaq, Stanley Roberts, and Chris Jackson, but Mickey and Jarrell may leave for the draft after this year. 

 

But speaking on that skill thing, since Lebron, I mean OJ Mayo was amazingly skilled in high school, and also got that next Lebron label. Derrick Rose was amazingly skilled. Lebron averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. OJ averaged 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Derrick Rose averaged 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Those are just players with the all around games, so I can’t say he’s the most skilled high school player i’ve seen since Lebron, and those are just players with the all around games. He’s very skilled though. I mean we don’t even mention how skilled Kyle Anderson was in high school. Bill Simmons is just more athletic than Kyle, they’re the same exact size, from what i’ve seen he doesn’t have Kyle’s wingspan. Kyle Anderson averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals at UCLA. I’m just saying we’re forgetting about some really skilled players. 

 

Ben Simmons is a great high school player, but Monteverde is also a super skilled team, and they sometimes play some cupcakes.

[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

 I personally think Ben Simmons will be a Lamar Odom type player, from what I’ve seen he’s nowhere near Tracy McGrady (neither was Wiggins to be honest, Tracy was an amazing passer, haven’t seen that from Wiggins yet). Now comparing him to Lamar Odom isn’t me slighting him, when Lamar Odom was motivated and not on drugs he was an amazing player, who could play the 3, the 4, and a little 5 in small lineups. He effectively ran the triangle and that’s a hard thing to do, you have to be versatile. Lamar was a top 10 pick, and I feel Ben will be a top 10 pick and deservedly so. I just feel Tracy could have been an all time great if not for the injuries. 

Lamar averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and a block for his career. He had seasons where he averaged over 5 assists, seasons where he averaged nearly 20 points, and seasons where he averaged over 10 rebounds. I think Ben is the same type of player, or maybe a more athletic Boris Diaw. But Ben Simmons isn’t some Zach LaVine/Andrew Wiggins type athlete, he’s good not great. 

I’m from Baton Rouge, and I’m a GTA at LSU, so I will be excited to see him play for free next year. I just hope Jarrell Martin and Jordan Mickey return for their junior years, to play with Ben, they could be LSU’s most talented team since Shaq, Stanley Roberts, and Chris Jackson, but Mickey and Jarrell may leave for the draft after this year. 

 

But speaking on that skill thing, since Lebron, I mean OJ Mayo was amazingly skilled in high school, and also got that next Lebron label. Derrick Rose was amazingly skilled. Lebron averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. OJ averaged 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Derrick Rose averaged 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Those are just players with the all around games, so I can’t say he’s the most skilled high school player i’ve seen since Lebron, and those are just players with the all around games. He’s very skilled though. I mean we don’t even mention how skilled Kyle Anderson was in high school. Bill Simmons is just more athletic than Kyle, they’re the same exact size, from what i’ve seen he doesn’t have Kyle’s wingspan. Kyle Anderson averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals at UCLA. I’m just saying we’re forgetting about some really skilled players. 

 

Ben Simmons is a great high school player, but Monteverde is also a super skilled team, and they sometimes play some cupcakes.

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Would you mind posting the link to that article about him at the cp3 camp. I can’t find it anywhere and I’d really love to read it.

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Would you mind posting the link to that article about him at the cp3 camp. I can’t find it anywhere and I’d really love to read it.

[chrispaulwallParticipant]

 from what ive seen of him before he doesn’t look crazy athletic like a lot of people imply. his game more resembles durant imo

[chrispaulwallParticipant]

 from what ive seen of him before he doesn’t look crazy athletic like a lot of people imply. his game more resembles durant imo

[reanimatorParticipant]

 Give me Jaylen Brown 

[reanimatorParticipant]

 Give me Jaylen Brown 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 Simmons = Grant Hill 2.0

He’s not as athletic as Hill was pre-injury but has all the skills. Passing, rebounding, defence, ball handling, shooting (Hill wasn’t even that great a 3pt shooter even in his prime), Simmons has many of the same attributes I saw in Hill. Very cerebral player. High IQ. 

I haven’t heard anyone say that Simmons is anywhere near the same league as Wiggins athletically, because he’s not. What he is is much more well rounded than Wiggins which helps him overcome his less-than-elite athleticism. 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 Simmons = Grant Hill 2.0

He’s not as athletic as Hill was pre-injury but has all the skills. Passing, rebounding, defence, ball handling, shooting (Hill wasn’t even that great a 3pt shooter even in his prime), Simmons has many of the same attributes I saw in Hill. Very cerebral player. High IQ. 

I haven’t heard anyone say that Simmons is anywhere near the same league as Wiggins athletically, because he’s not. What he is is much more well rounded than Wiggins which helps him overcome his less-than-elite athleticism. 

[BobbyqrsParticipant]

 Simmons is overrated from an athletic stand point. Hes  good but not elite and he does look like he has a shortish wingspan. Im also not sure if he can shoot

[BobbyqrsParticipant]

 Simmons is overrated from an athletic stand point. Hes  good but not elite and he does look like he has a shortish wingspan. Im also not sure if he can shoot

[Rip255]

I think his athleticism is different to Andrew Wiggins or Blake Griffin in that he’s definitely not generating that explosive power, but he has much better coordination and body control. 

This allows him to have better handles, do things like euro-steps and also much better footwork in the post. He’s also very strong in that Carmello/Boogie way where he has a low centre of gravity and can bully his way into the post. 

His passing, ball handling and IQ are off the charts though. Check out his latest video. He’s throwing half-court alley-oops and crossing over point guards in the back-court and making it look easy. 

[Rip255]

I think his athleticism is different to Andrew Wiggins or Blake Griffin in that he’s definitely not generating that explosive power, but he has much better coordination and body control. 

This allows him to have better handles, do things like euro-steps and also much better footwork in the post. He’s also very strong in that Carmello/Boogie way where he has a low centre of gravity and can bully his way into the post. 

His passing, ball handling and IQ are off the charts though. Check out his latest video. He’s throwing half-court alley-oops and crossing over point guards in the back-court and making it look easy. 

[Author]

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