[EndlessknightParticipant]

Yes, yet another Ben Simmons thread. I’ve watched him a few times now and I still can’t tell if he’s a 3 or 4 at the next level. What do you guys think?

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 Offensively he won’t be restrained to a single position designation- he’ll be doing all sorts of different things because of his unique skillset.

 

  Defensively I think he’ll probably start out defending wings because despite his lack of consistent effort he can still guard when he gets motivated to do so- hopefully being in the NBA and not getting as easy buckets will make him put more effort in on D to stay on the floor. In a few years time when hes had NBA strength and conditioning for a while he’ll certainly have the size to guard 4s at least occasionally, especially with 4 men getting progressively smaller and more perimeter orientated.

 

Don’t think of him as a point or a 3 or a 4, because his versatility and ability to do bits and pieces of what all those positions do is what makes him the special prospect he is, and people shoehorning him into one are missing the point that he wont be playing one position at the next level, he’ll be playing multiple regularly 

 

 

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 Offensively he won’t be restrained to a single position designation- he’ll be doing all sorts of different things because of his unique skillset.

 

  Defensively I think he’ll probably start out defending wings because despite his lack of consistent effort he can still guard when he gets motivated to do so- hopefully being in the NBA and not getting as easy buckets will make him put more effort in on D to stay on the floor. In a few years time when hes had NBA strength and conditioning for a while he’ll certainly have the size to guard 4s at least occasionally, especially with 4 men getting progressively smaller and more perimeter orientated.

 

Don’t think of him as a point or a 3 or a 4, because his versatility and ability to do bits and pieces of what all those positions do is what makes him the special prospect he is, and people shoehorning him into one are missing the point that he wont be playing one position at the next level, he’ll be playing multiple regularly 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Who knows if he’s still growing and he’s already about 6’10". More importantly, he rebounds as well as anyone in college. That makes me think PF. Yes, he might have a little trouble on D for a bit, but defenders will have a bigger problem dealing with him. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Who knows if he’s still growing and he’s already about 6’10". More importantly, he rebounds as well as anyone in college. That makes me think PF. Yes, he might have a little trouble on D for a bit, but defenders will have a bigger problem dealing with him. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I think he’s a 3.  Can’t shoot that well but he that wouldn’t change if he played the 4. 

I like his length and athleticism.  He needs to get stronger.  I don’t think he is big enough to guard power forwards.  On offense I would rather have him create on the wing rather than the low post or high post. 

He would have a height and length advantage against 3’s.  But maybe not 4’s.  

He would have an advantage rebounding against wings, but maybe not against bigs.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I think he’s a 3.  Can’t shoot that well but he that wouldn’t change if he played the 4. 

I like his length and athleticism.  He needs to get stronger.  I don’t think he is big enough to guard power forwards.  On offense I would rather have him create on the wing rather than the low post or high post. 

He would have a height and length advantage against 3’s.  But maybe not 4’s.  

He would have an advantage rebounding against wings, but maybe not against bigs.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Of course, in future NBA All Star Games he will play the "pass the :/@$&&! ball to Buddy Hield" position.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Of course, in future NBA All Star Games he will play the "pass the :/@$&&! ball to Buddy Hield" position.

[ph90702]

He’s like Lamar Odom.  He can play both.

[ph90702]

He’s like Lamar Odom.  He can play both.

[frogmanParticipant]

It really doesn’t matter.  Positions are almost a thing of the past.  Hell, Harrison Barnes technically plays the 4 on the best 5 man group in the NBA.

[frogmanParticipant]

It really doesn’t matter.  Positions are almost a thing of the past.  Hell, Harrison Barnes technically plays the 4 on the best 5 man group in the NBA.

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 For some teams he could be a point guard, and for others he can be whichever forward they need.  

Might as well call him a combo-point-forward.

To end games, he could be their center.  Kukoc did things like that.

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 For some teams he could be a point guard, and for others he can be whichever forward they need.  

Might as well call him a combo-point-forward.

To end games, he could be their center.  Kukoc did things like that.

 

 

 

 

[trelos6Participant]

People say these days, teams need a stretch 4.

Well, the Warriors and other teams have shown, you don’t need a stretch 4, you need a playmaking 4.

Simmons fits that role perfectly.  He is the ultimate playmaking 4 (if LBJ was taller slightly, he would be the ultimate playmaking 4.  But still, LBJ is a very good playmaking 4 when he wants to be).

The fact that Simmons isn’t a good shooter yet isn’t a huge issue.

 

 

 

  

[trelos6Participant]

People say these days, teams need a stretch 4.

Well, the Warriors and other teams have shown, you don’t need a stretch 4, you need a playmaking 4.

Simmons fits that role perfectly.  He is the ultimate playmaking 4 (if LBJ was taller slightly, he would be the ultimate playmaking 4.  But still, LBJ is a very good playmaking 4 when he wants to be).

The fact that Simmons isn’t a good shooter yet isn’t a huge issue.

 

 

 

  

[mamadouParticipant]

Definitly a 4.

League ain’t going taller.

MIP Boris Diaw was a 6’8 center 10 years ago, 13+ pts, 7 rebs 6+ assists.

Griffin averaged 5+ assists last season, Grant Hill played small ball 4 at the end of his career(he’s maybe somewhere between these 2), even a guy like matt barnes had the best stretch of his career as a 4.

6’9, 6’10 without a shot or range, he won’t help a team as a 3.

Mismatch 4, run…and run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mamadouParticipant]

Definitly a 4.

League ain’t going taller.

MIP Boris Diaw was a 6’8 center 10 years ago, 13+ pts, 7 rebs 6+ assists.

Griffin averaged 5+ assists last season, Grant Hill played small ball 4 at the end of his career(he’s maybe somewhere between these 2), even a guy like matt barnes had the best stretch of his career as a 4.

6’9, 6’10 without a shot or range, he won’t help a team as a 3.

Mismatch 4, run…and run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trappedinthecloset]

 Simmons should join forces with Beasley in China. Jabari Parker and Julius Randle and Derrick Williams could round out the starting 5.

So much talent.

 

 

 

 

 

[trappedinthecloset]

 Simmons should join forces with Beasley in China. Jabari Parker and Julius Randle and Derrick Williams could round out the starting 5.

So much talent.

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 He might be able to play both, but wouldn’t you want to put shooters around him because he needs the ball? That makes me think I’d want him to be a 4. A lot more floor-spacing SFs in the league than PFs. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 He might be able to play both, but wouldn’t you want to put shooters around him because he needs the ball? That makes me think I’d want him to be a 4. A lot more floor-spacing SFs in the league than PFs. 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

 …it does not matter what "position" he plays. It is more important that he fits into a team that utilizes his talents well and that it meshes with the team. Today’s NBA isn’t about positions anymore. Paul George starts at the 4. Draymond Green at 6’7 starts at the 4. 

The best teams have great chemistry and put their best players in positions to make plays that help teams win. With the zone rules and sophisticated defensive schemes positions aren’t as important as they were 10 years ago or so. 

 

[ThepessimestParticipant]

 …it does not matter what "position" he plays. It is more important that he fits into a team that utilizes his talents well and that it meshes with the team. Today’s NBA isn’t about positions anymore. Paul George starts at the 4. Draymond Green at 6’7 starts at the 4. 

The best teams have great chemistry and put their best players in positions to make plays that help teams win. With the zone rules and sophisticated defensive schemes positions aren’t as important as they were 10 years ago or so. 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 A lot will depend who drafts him, if Philly gets him I’d think he’d play 3. The Lakers would depend on what FA moves they make. Boston via Nets pick would probably see him at either.

I think he may start at SF and then possibly progress to PF in a few years but as said above his game is not limited to one position and he may well play as a point forward/main ball carrier if his potential is what we think it may be.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 A lot will depend who drafts him, if Philly gets him I’d think he’d play 3. The Lakers would depend on what FA moves they make. Boston via Nets pick would probably see him at either.

I think he may start at SF and then possibly progress to PF in a few years but as said above his game is not limited to one position and he may well play as a point forward/main ball carrier if his potential is what we think it may be.

 

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