[rtbtParticipant]

I don’t know if Ben Simmons will become a super star in the NBA, but he sure has tons of potential. Now let me tell you what I find frustrating. In our fast paced, spoiled culture, it seems as if everyboy wants him to be the best player in America from day one. 

Hello! Ben Simmons is just a 19 year old freshman and people should stop judging him in the same way they analyze LeBron James. Every 19 year old freshman with super star potential isn’t going to reach that potential in is first year of college basketball. For most young men with immense talent, it still takes time to learn the game, mature, and grow into the role everybody expects he will eventually command.

 

[Greekballin]

 can you all fking stop with Ben Simmons threads?

[Greekballin]

 can you all fking stop with Ben Simmons threads?

[ChewyParticipant]

 I can only speak on what is being said on this site, but their are two main knocks against Ben.

1. His jumpshot is ugly- most people on this site that have pointed this out, also have conceeded that is it very likely/possible that this will be corrected after a few years in the NBA. So a fair criticism, since they also admit this can be fixed down the road.

2. Ben Simmons isn’t aggressive enough- Ben Simmons CAN be the best player in college basketball. (Yes, even with Buddy being Buddy). He dominated stretches of LSU games and makes people around him look like High Schoolers in comparison. People pointing out that he dissapeared the last 10 mins of the LSU vs OK is completely fair in my book. Ben should of touched the ball AT LEAST every other offensive play those last 10 mins when OK made their run. 

IMO, this site has been pretty fair overall in their assessment of Ben.

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 I can only speak on what is being said on this site, but their are two main knocks against Ben.

1. His jumpshot is ugly- most people on this site that have pointed this out, also have conceeded that is it very likely/possible that this will be corrected after a few years in the NBA. So a fair criticism, since they also admit this can be fixed down the road.

2. Ben Simmons isn’t aggressive enough- Ben Simmons CAN be the best player in college basketball. (Yes, even with Buddy being Buddy). He dominated stretches of LSU games and makes people around him look like High Schoolers in comparison. People pointing out that he dissapeared the last 10 mins of the LSU vs OK is completely fair in my book. Ben should of touched the ball AT LEAST every other offensive play those last 10 mins when OK made their run. 

IMO, this site has been pretty fair overall in their assessment of Ben.

 

 

 

[phila9012Participant]

 Simmons doesn’t really have to try, he plays so effortlessly. If he was in the NBA he would play harder. Wiggins developed that, if you don’t come out competing in the NBA you are going to get hammered. In college Simmons can go out and not really try and get 15 pts, 10 rbs and 5 asts with out really trying. He is one of the 2 or 3 players every year who are clearly ready for the NBA before they got to college.

[phila9012Participant]

 Simmons doesn’t really have to try, he plays so effortlessly. If he was in the NBA he would play harder. Wiggins developed that, if you don’t come out competing in the NBA you are going to get hammered. In college Simmons can go out and not really try and get 15 pts, 10 rbs and 5 asts with out really trying. He is one of the 2 or 3 players every year who are clearly ready for the NBA before they got to college.

[TravelinTravParticipant]

its an NBA draft forum, quit bitching and crying every time someone posts about basketball related topics.

 I have more questions about Simmons game ten the next couple guys in the draft. They all have more complete games, Ingram, Dunn, and Jaylen. 

[TravelinTravParticipant]

its an NBA draft forum, quit bitching and crying every time someone posts about basketball related topics.

 I have more questions about Simmons game ten the next couple guys in the draft. They all have more complete games, Ingram, Dunn, and Jaylen. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Why come to a basketball prospect forum ? I haven’t seen many harsh things being said about Simmons everything has been fair. Except for perhaps one particular user, but he is known for his tirades and stupid posts. Simmons is most likely to go first so everything about his game and mind set will get scrutinize including everyone else entering the draft in some level. So deal with it.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Why come to a basketball prospect forum ? I haven’t seen many harsh things being said about Simmons everything has been fair. Except for perhaps one particular user, but he is known for his tirades and stupid posts. Simmons is most likely to go first so everything about his game and mind set will get scrutinize including everyone else entering the draft in some level. So deal with it.

[negguaryParticipant]

The facts are the facts! I was also very high on Ben, and still am in some regards. When I removed the emotions though, and took my BEN SIMMONS fan shoes off reality is easier to see. The fact is he does have a lot of potential, but if he is to be the SUPERSTAR player that he is being tabbed as he MUST improve on certain aspects of his game. Remember you have to remove the emotion and the fact that you are a fan.

[negguaryParticipant]

The facts are the facts! I was also very high on Ben, and still am in some regards. When I removed the emotions though, and took my BEN SIMMONS fan shoes off reality is easier to see. The fact is he does have a lot of potential, but if he is to be the SUPERSTAR player that he is being tabbed as he MUST improve on certain aspects of his game. Remember you have to remove the emotion and the fact that you are a fan.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

People here know he isn’t a finish product, and that he is young like most kids entering college. We aren’t just going off his first year in college. We are also evaluating predicting how much his game going to grow down the line. My bad if this is being rude, but this post is completely redundant. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

People here know he isn’t a finish product, and that he is young like most kids entering college. We aren’t just going off his first year in college. We are also evaluating predicting how much his game going to grow down the line. My bad if this is being rude, but this post is completely redundant. 

[LA12Participant]

 No freshman is going to be without their weaknesses. Name me one draft prospect EVER that had NO weakness at all. His two main weaknesses are his jumper and his killer instinct. One improves with practice, the other is something you develop mentally.

Look at Kawhi and Draymond. Both weren’t considered shooters by any means coming out of college. You work at it, and it improves. That’s how it works. That’s how it will always work. No amount of speculation on whether it will improve will make it improve. Only Simmons can make it improve. Until then, he’s skilled enough in every other aspect of the game to hold his own. It’s not like that without a jumpshot he will just fail as a draft prospect.

 

[LA12Participant]

 No freshman is going to be without their weaknesses. Name me one draft prospect EVER that had NO weakness at all. His two main weaknesses are his jumper and his killer instinct. One improves with practice, the other is something you develop mentally.

Look at Kawhi and Draymond. Both weren’t considered shooters by any means coming out of college. You work at it, and it improves. That’s how it works. That’s how it will always work. No amount of speculation on whether it will improve will make it improve. Only Simmons can make it improve. Until then, he’s skilled enough in every other aspect of the game to hold his own. It’s not like that without a jumpshot he will just fail as a draft prospect.

 

[cjwParticipant]

 Towns had no weakness

[cjwParticipant]

 Towns had no weakness

[rtbtParticipant]

 A couple of guys in this thread stated young Mr. Simmons needs to improve several flaws in his game. Hello! That’s the point of this thread. Show me a 19 year old freshman who doesn’t have flaws in his game. The only relevant question is are they the types of flaws which can be corrected by maturity, practice, and dedication?

I’m old enough to remember watching Magic Johnson playing at Michigan State. The so called basketball pundits predicted he would never be an outstanding professional because he couldn’t shoot in college as freshman and sophomore. Magic corrected that serious flaw and became the greatest NBA point guard I ever saw.

 

[rtbtParticipant]

 A couple of guys in this thread stated young Mr. Simmons needs to improve several flaws in his game. Hello! That’s the point of this thread. Show me a 19 year old freshman who doesn’t have flaws in his game. The only relevant question is are they the types of flaws which can be corrected by maturity, practice, and dedication?

I’m old enough to remember watching Magic Johnson playing at Michigan State. The so called basketball pundits predicted he would never be an outstanding professional because he couldn’t shoot in college as freshman and sophomore. Magic corrected that serious flaw and became the greatest NBA point guard I ever saw.

 

[I am an idiotParticipant]

I think it is fair to talk about flaws when you are discussing a person that has expectations in the Hall of Fame range. Ever if he is only 19.

The jumper doesn’t necessarily bother me. As discussed, mechanics can be taught and Magic never had a jumper (to mention another tall ball-handler).

However, the mental toughness thing is an issue. That is something that the great ones usually showed at an early age. Jordan, Bird, Magic, LeBron etc. were all dominant players that backed down to no one.

I know that is a high standard to hold Ben to, but isn’t that what you are trying to find in a #1 pick; the next superstar?

 

 

 

 

  

[rtbtParticipant]

"However, the mental toughness thing is an issue. That is something that the great ones usually showed at an early age. Jordan, Bird, Magic, LeBron etc. were all dominant players that backed down to no one."

Very good point but I would disagree somewhat. Let’s take Michael Jordan as the perfect example. I don’t believe he had that mental toughness you described in college, nor in his early years in the NBA. Only after the Pistons pounded him mercilessly in the playoffs did Michael develop both a new mental and physical level of toughness that propelled him to the next level.

On the other issue he pointed out, I’m not saying one cannot assess flaws in a 19 year old freshman. I think that’s fair and part of the normal process. My point is let’s not be overly dramatic with that analysis and temper the criticism somewhat. One could say he’s only a freshman and these are the aspects of his game he needs to work on if he wants to be the first player drafted. This very different than some people stating he doesn’t deserve to be the number one choice because he has flaws in is game as a 19 year old. Hope that makes sense.

 

[rtbtParticipant]

"However, the mental toughness thing is an issue. That is something that the great ones usually showed at an early age. Jordan, Bird, Magic, LeBron etc. were all dominant players that backed down to no one."

Very good point but I would disagree somewhat. Let’s take Michael Jordan as the perfect example. I don’t believe he had that mental toughness you described in college, nor in his early years in the NBA. Only after the Pistons pounded him mercilessly in the playoffs did Michael develop both a new mental and physical level of toughness that propelled him to the next level.

On the other issue he pointed out, I’m not saying one cannot assess flaws in a 19 year old freshman. I think that’s fair and part of the normal process. My point is let’s not be overly dramatic with that analysis and temper the criticism somewhat. One could say he’s only a freshman and these are the aspects of his game he needs to work on if he wants to be the first player drafted. This very different than some people stating he doesn’t deserve to be the number one choice because he has flaws in is game as a 19 year old. Hope that makes sense.

 

[I am an idiotParticipant]

I think it is fair to talk about flaws when you are discussing a person that has expectations in the Hall of Fame range. Ever if he is only 19.

The jumper doesn’t necessarily bother me. As discussed, mechanics can be taught and Magic never had a jumper (to mention another tall ball-handler).

However, the mental toughness thing is an issue. That is something that the great ones usually showed at an early age. Jordan, Bird, Magic, LeBron etc. were all dominant players that backed down to no one.

I know that is a high standard to hold Ben to, but isn’t that what you are trying to find in a #1 pick; the next superstar?

 

 

 

 

  

[I am an idiotParticipant]

Selecting him #1 is different than saying he’s the next superstar. #1 just means he’s the best available, which clearly he is. I don’t think many people would dispute that. Superstar? You need a set of brass conjones as well as talent to get to that level.

The problem with today’s draft is that all of the best atheletes are picked as freshmen. Therefore, the overall talent level is down in the NCAA and no one has had enough seasoning to be properly evaluated.

I will say that Jordan was pretty damn good as a freshman. He did hit the winning shot in the Championship game, after all.

What 19 year old has ever come out and led a team to a title right away? Magic came close, but he did have Kareem, so you can’t give Magic all the credit (though he was spectacular). His 42 points while playing center is still one of the most amazing performances ever.

LeBron, Kobe, Bird etc. were all older before they grabbed a title. That doesn’t mean that they didn’t show their charactor early.

 

 

[I am an idiotParticipant]

Selecting him #1 is different than saying he’s the next superstar. #1 just means he’s the best available, which clearly he is. I don’t think many people would dispute that. Superstar? You need a set of brass conjones as well as talent to get to that level.

The problem with today’s draft is that all of the best atheletes are picked as freshmen. Therefore, the overall talent level is down in the NCAA and no one has had enough seasoning to be properly evaluated.

I will say that Jordan was pretty damn good as a freshman. He did hit the winning shot in the Championship game, after all.

What 19 year old has ever come out and led a team to a title right away? Magic came close, but he did have Kareem, so you can’t give Magic all the credit (though he was spectacular). His 42 points while playing center is still one of the most amazing performances ever.

LeBron, Kobe, Bird etc. were all older before they grabbed a title. That doesn’t mean that they didn’t show their charactor early.

 

 

[rtbtParticipant]

One shot in an NCAA tournament game does not necessarily make one mentally tough and resilient. Jordan was a great scorer but not much else in his first few years in the league. He became a very different player the year after the Pistons beat him up in the playoffs. After that experience, Jordan took his game to a new level and was obvioulsy unmatched. That’s why I stated toughness (mental or physical) isn’t necessarily there from day one. In Jordan’s case, the Pistons challenged him to become mentally and physically tough and he did. 

Back to my point, those qualities can still emerge from Ben Simmons after he matures as both a person and a player. He’s far from a finished product as a 19 year old freshman.

Yes, I will never forget that game early in Magic’s career when he scored 42 points playing center in place of the injured Kareem. It was one of the most memorable achievements in NBA history.

 

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

 42 points and 15 rebounds! Given the stage and his youth that game is right up there with Wilts 100 point game in terms on achievement. 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

 42 points and 15 rebounds! Given the stage and his youth that game is right up there with Wilts 100 point game in terms on achievement. 

[rtbtParticipant]

One shot in an NCAA tournament game does not necessarily make one mentally tough and resilient. Jordan was a great scorer but not much else in his first few years in the league. He became a very different player the year after the Pistons beat him up in the playoffs. After that experience, Jordan took his game to a new level and was obvioulsy unmatched. That’s why I stated toughness (mental or physical) isn’t necessarily there from day one. In Jordan’s case, the Pistons challenged him to become mentally and physically tough and he did. 

Back to my point, those qualities can still emerge from Ben Simmons after he matures as both a person and a player. He’s far from a finished product as a 19 year old freshman.

Yes, I will never forget that game early in Magic’s career when he scored 42 points playing center in place of the injured Kareem. It was one of the most memorable achievements in NBA history.

 

 

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