[220Participant]

 A major knock on Ben Simmons that I continue to hear is that he didn’t lead his team to the NCAA tournament. I personally didn’t watch much of Ben Simmons at LSU, but I truly doubt that if Brandon Ingram had swapped places with Ben Simmons that LSU would have been any better. That being said if Simmons had been on Duke I imagine they would have been just as successful and much of this talk of Simmons not leading his team would be squashed. Bottomline LSU wasn’t very good and Duke was a pretty good team. Simmons status is hurt because his team was poor while Ingram’s status was enhanced because his team was good. 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Wow, so you didn’t watch much of him, but your mind tells you you have the knowledge to speak on his collegiate career?

I watched atleast 5 or 6 of him games and let me tell you he would go through stretches of games not demanding the ball, and if you must say his teammates should have given him to the ball, why give one the ball when they do nothing with it? He shot less than 65% on freethrows numerous times. Some of his assists didn’t mean much as he sucked at shooting and was lucky to constantly attack the rim and drop it off.

At the end of the day I would think the next lebron could atleast lead his team to the ncaa tourny. He still probably will be good in the nba.

Oh yes I just thought of something,  if your ancestors were idiots,  your grandparents were idiots, your parents were idiots, wouldn’t that make you an idiot. Well see I didn’t know your peoples, but unlike you not watching simmons at lsu atleast I can say I have heard you talk and you talk like an idiot.

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Wow, so you didn’t watch much of him, but your mind tells you you have the knowledge to speak on his collegiate career?

I watched atleast 5 or 6 of him games and let me tell you he would go through stretches of games not demanding the ball, and if you must say his teammates should have given him to the ball, why give one the ball when they do nothing with it? He shot less than 65% on freethrows numerous times. Some of his assists didn’t mean much as he sucked at shooting and was lucky to constantly attack the rim and drop it off.

At the end of the day I would think the next lebron could atleast lead his team to the ncaa tourny. He still probably will be good in the nba.

Oh yes I just thought of something,  if your ancestors were idiots,  your grandparents were idiots, your parents were idiots, wouldn’t that make you an idiot. Well see I didn’t know your peoples, but unlike you not watching simmons at lsu atleast I can say I have heard you talk and you talk like an idiot.

 

 

 

[220Participant]

 Wow, aren’t you a peach. I saw at least 7 games with Ben Simmons on LSU. To me that isn’t much, but I guess with your large intellect you couldn’t fathom people defining things differently. I realize Simmons disappears for stretches of games, but he also dominates for stretches much like Brandon Ingram for Duke. The difference being the moment Simmons disappeared his team started going downhill quickly while Duke was a far better team and thus were able to play well when Ingram was not. Many players look better on better teams and from what I saw of Ben Simmons and the nature of his game I imagine he is a player like that. No one forced him to go to LSU, but it’s clear that choice didn’t benefit him very much.

 

[220Participant]

 Wow, aren’t you a peach. I saw at least 7 games with Ben Simmons on LSU. To me that isn’t much, but I guess with your large intellect you couldn’t fathom people defining things differently. I realize Simmons disappears for stretches of games, but he also dominates for stretches much like Brandon Ingram for Duke. The difference being the moment Simmons disappeared his team started going downhill quickly while Duke was a far better team and thus were able to play well when Ingram was not. Many players look better on better teams and from what I saw of Ben Simmons and the nature of his game I imagine he is a player like that. No one forced him to go to LSU, but it’s clear that choice didn’t benefit him very much.

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 1st off who cares to the guy below me who defended you, now to you. Duh people on better teams look better, but Ben decided to go to lsu like you stated. 

2nd Ingram wasn’t hyped to be the next anyone, I have heard durant-esque but that’s only in my opinion because he is tall and lanky, also I don’t care too much for comparisons, but to summons for the guy hyped to be the best nba prospect since lebron and the 2nd coming of lebron I would assume there would be no way on earth he would allow his team to miss the tourny, I mean there were so many teams at the bottom of the selection of the finals to make it and none of them had a player of simmons’s hype, so to me the fact that lsu missed the tourny with him as the face of the team is a huge disspointment to me. 

I mean how could a guy this good who can play any position and do it all, miss the tourny? In my opinion most guys since 2011 are overrated. Their physical tools makes college coaches and nba scouts drool over their potential when it’s mostly them being bigger and faster the everyone in high shool  and then when they look just ok in college there are a 100 excuses made for them, and when they get to the nba they take years to develop.

Will simmons be good in the nba, yes. Will he be what he has been hyped to be, it’s not looking like it ,but I will wait and see.

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 1st off who cares to the guy below me who defended you, now to you. Duh people on better teams look better, but Ben decided to go to lsu like you stated. 

2nd Ingram wasn’t hyped to be the next anyone, I have heard durant-esque but that’s only in my opinion because he is tall and lanky, also I don’t care too much for comparisons, but to summons for the guy hyped to be the best nba prospect since lebron and the 2nd coming of lebron I would assume there would be no way on earth he would allow his team to miss the tourny, I mean there were so many teams at the bottom of the selection of the finals to make it and none of them had a player of simmons’s hype, so to me the fact that lsu missed the tourny with him as the face of the team is a huge disspointment to me. 

I mean how could a guy this good who can play any position and do it all, miss the tourny? In my opinion most guys since 2011 are overrated. Their physical tools makes college coaches and nba scouts drool over their potential when it’s mostly them being bigger and faster the everyone in high shool  and then when they look just ok in college there are a 100 excuses made for them, and when they get to the nba they take years to develop.

Will simmons be good in the nba, yes. Will he be what he has been hyped to be, it’s not looking like it ,but I will wait and see.

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 1st off who cares to the guy below me who defended you, now to you. Duh people on better teams look better, but Ben decided to go to lsu like you stated. 

2nd Ingram wasn’t hyped to be the next anyone, I have heard durant-esque but that’s only in my opinion because he is tall and lanky, also I don’t care too much for comparisons, but to summons for the guy hyped to be the best nba prospect since lebron and the 2nd coming of lebron I would assume there would be no way on earth he would allow his team to miss the tourny, I mean there were so many teams at the bottom of the selection of the finals to make it and none of them had a player of simmons’s hype, so to me the fact that lsu missed the tourny with him as the face of the team is a huge disspointment to me. 

I mean how could a guy this good who can play any position and do it all, miss the tourny? In my opinion most guys since 2011 are overrated. Their physical tools makes college coaches and nba scouts drool over their potential when it’s mostly them being bigger and faster the everyone in high shool  and then when they look just ok in college there are a 100 excuses made for them, and when they get to the nba they take years to develop.

Will simmons be good in the nba, yes. Will he be what he has been hyped to be, it’s not looking like it ,but I will wait and see.

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 1st off who cares to the guy below me who defended you, now to you. Duh people on better teams look better, but Ben decided to go to lsu like you stated. 

2nd Ingram wasn’t hyped to be the next anyone, I have heard durant-esque but that’s only in my opinion because he is tall and lanky, also I don’t care too much for comparisons, but to summons for the guy hyped to be the best nba prospect since lebron and the 2nd coming of lebron I would assume there would be no way on earth he would allow his team to miss the tourny, I mean there were so many teams at the bottom of the selection of the finals to make it and none of them had a player of simmons’s hype, so to me the fact that lsu missed the tourny with him as the face of the team is a huge disspointment to me. 

I mean how could a guy this good who can play any position and do it all, miss the tourny? In my opinion most guys since 2011 are overrated. Their physical tools makes college coaches and nba scouts drool over their potential when it’s mostly them being bigger and faster the everyone in high shool  and then when they look just ok in college there are a 100 excuses made for them, and when they get to the nba they take years to develop.

Will simmons be good in the nba, yes. Will he be what he has been hyped to be, it’s not looking like it ,but I will wait and see.

 

 

 

[Willfb3Participant]

Take a deep breath buddy, everything is gonna be okay.

[Willfb3Participant]

Take a deep breath buddy, everything is gonna be okay.

[giddyup123Participant]

That response was pretty immature. Especially given that I actually think that this is a really interesting point. I did watch both teams play a few times.. and my analysis is that one reason Ben Simmons did not demand the ball (and LSU was not great) is because he is not a great 1-on-1 player, he’s not a great shooter and right now his shot-creating/making ability is his biggest weakness. That said, putting Ben Simmons in a position to make basketball plays in the flow of an offense/transition along with another stud (Grayson Allen) to defer to now and then and more structure around him would have really benefitted him.

Of course this is all hypothetical, but Duke seems like it would have been an ideal situation for Ben Simmons (instead of Ingram) last year. With Plumlee and (to a lesser extent Jeter) up front, along with Amile Jefferson playing the 4 and 5 (with Simmons), Ben Simmons could have slid very nicely into the 4 spot and been an ideal playmaker for Duke. With Matt Jones, Luke Kennard, and Grayson Allen to spread the floor, and Thornton running the point, I think that this team would have been much better defensively/rebounding and would have had as legit of a 1-2 punch in Allen/Simmons then they had with Allen/Ingram without suffering a huge drop in shooting/scoring. The repetitiveness of having so many shooters on the floor might have actually been mitigated by putting out an elite passer and point forward to initiate more offense.

As for Brandon Ingram on LSU, I think we can all agree that they certainly wouldn’t have been any better. The repetitiveness of having a bunch of shooters would have made them worse and not having Simmons would have made them a significantly worse rebounding team. 

Again, all hypothetical, but at the very least its certainly an interesting situation and certainly undeserving of tagging the idiot label to all the OP’s ancestry.

[giddyup123Participant]

That response was pretty immature. Especially given that I actually think that this is a really interesting point. I did watch both teams play a few times.. and my analysis is that one reason Ben Simmons did not demand the ball (and LSU was not great) is because he is not a great 1-on-1 player, he’s not a great shooter and right now his shot-creating/making ability is his biggest weakness. That said, putting Ben Simmons in a position to make basketball plays in the flow of an offense/transition along with another stud (Grayson Allen) to defer to now and then and more structure around him would have really benefitted him.

Of course this is all hypothetical, but Duke seems like it would have been an ideal situation for Ben Simmons (instead of Ingram) last year. With Plumlee and (to a lesser extent Jeter) up front, along with Amile Jefferson playing the 4 and 5 (with Simmons), Ben Simmons could have slid very nicely into the 4 spot and been an ideal playmaker for Duke. With Matt Jones, Luke Kennard, and Grayson Allen to spread the floor, and Thornton running the point, I think that this team would have been much better defensively/rebounding and would have had as legit of a 1-2 punch in Allen/Simmons then they had with Allen/Ingram without suffering a huge drop in shooting/scoring. The repetitiveness of having so many shooters on the floor might have actually been mitigated by putting out an elite passer and point forward to initiate more offense.

As for Brandon Ingram on LSU, I think we can all agree that they certainly wouldn’t have been any better. The repetitiveness of having a bunch of shooters would have made them worse and not having Simmons would have made them a significantly worse rebounding team. 

Again, all hypothetical, but at the very least its certainly an interesting situation and certainly undeserving of tagging the idiot label to all the OP’s ancestry.

[giddyup123Participant]

If were talking hypothetical results here, I think its certainly reasonable to think Duke may have actually been better when it’s all said and done with that switch, especially with a full season of camaraderie and Coach K’s coaching. 

[giddyup123Participant]

If were talking hypothetical results here, I think its certainly reasonable to think Duke may have actually been better when it’s all said and done with that switch, especially with a full season of camaraderie and Coach K’s coaching. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 If that is true and the results wouldn’t have been different, what makes Simmons better than Ingram? 

I know "people" knock Simmons for not winning more at LSU…my guess is that if basketball people are knocking anything on Simmons, its that he didn’t contribute more to winning at LSU. He looked like a guy more worried about putting up numbers or playing a certain way and when things went bad, he borderline shut down. 

LSU didn’t have a bunch of scrubs on their team. These guys on their team were fine the year before and Simmons came in with another 5-star prospect. So it’s not like he’s playing with a bunch of JV guys at High major school. His coach might not have been the greatest, but there are plenty of bad coaches in the NBA that seem to find success. 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 If that is true and the results wouldn’t have been different, what makes Simmons better than Ingram? 

I know "people" knock Simmons for not winning more at LSU…my guess is that if basketball people are knocking anything on Simmons, its that he didn’t contribute more to winning at LSU. He looked like a guy more worried about putting up numbers or playing a certain way and when things went bad, he borderline shut down. 

LSU didn’t have a bunch of scrubs on their team. These guys on their team were fine the year before and Simmons came in with another 5-star prospect. So it’s not like he’s playing with a bunch of JV guys at High major school. His coach might not have been the greatest, but there are plenty of bad coaches in the NBA that seem to find success. 

 

 

[220Participant]

 That is a great question. It’s basically what everyone has been speculating on though they may not have considered it in this context. At this point it comes down to potential. Ben Simmons size, athletic ability, and current skill set is likely what is pushing him ahead in the potential column. Brandon Ingram has great length and a good shot, but if both of them reach their full potential Simmons is likely better. Now the question is who has the mental fortitude and work ethic to get himself closer to his full potential. Whoever the 76ers decide that is between Simmons and Ingram will almost assuredly be the first pick.

[220Participant]

 That is a great question. It’s basically what everyone has been speculating on though they may not have considered it in this context. At this point it comes down to potential. Ben Simmons size, athletic ability, and current skill set is likely what is pushing him ahead in the potential column. Brandon Ingram has great length and a good shot, but if both of them reach their full potential Simmons is likely better. Now the question is who has the mental fortitude and work ethic to get himself closer to his full potential. Whoever the 76ers decide that is between Simmons and Ingram will almost assuredly be the first pick.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

 Interesting hypothetical to think about if Ingram put up similar numbers to what he had at Duke on a LSU without much attention or a tourney bid.. Obviously all the physical tools are there but Would he still be a top two lock or would  he get lumped in with others in a 2-6 range.. Love thinking about hypotheticals like this but only time will tell and no one knows.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

 Interesting hypothetical to think about if Ingram put up similar numbers to what he had at Duke on a LSU without much attention or a tourney bid.. Obviously all the physical tools are there but Would he still be a top two lock or would  he get lumped in with others in a 2-6 range.. Love thinking about hypotheticals like this but only time will tell and no one knows.

[tuck243Participant]

 Ben is legit.    LSU wasn’t that good to begin with and Blakney was overrated.   They had no outside shooting really and Ben was the BEST option to penetrate and dish.   In order for LSU to win, Ben had to make something happen on damn near every play.   They would go down in points because the coach wouldn’t let Ben initiate and orchestrate that offense at times (Vividly remember yelling at the tv saying Ben needs to bring the ball up vs Vanderbilt.   It wasn’t until after a number of terrible possessions the stupid coach allowed Ben to take over).   I’m not saying Ben didn’t eventually mentally check out of games (or the season), but he had to flirt with a triple double while scoring 30 points, JUST to have a chance at winning.   Not actually winning, a fighting chance at it.

Brandon Ingram is not that good IMO and played within the pace of the game.   He’s not quick at all and will need to make that shot deadly.    Kevin Durant he is not and will take a few years to be at a level where he’s contributing nightly.

Ben?  Whenever he wants to take over, he does.   There’s literally not many players in the NBA that can stay with him, so if you’re upset at all the drama and him not taking his team to the tourney, SHUT UP.    You can legit look at his game and say he’ll be dominant in the league.   Blake Griffin didn’t have a jumper entering the league either.    Ben will be a superstar no doubt about that.

For the record, I’m an AVID Duke fan, so no bias over here.

 

 

 

 

[tuck243Participant]

 Ben is legit.    LSU wasn’t that good to begin with and Blakney was overrated.   They had no outside shooting really and Ben was the BEST option to penetrate and dish.   In order for LSU to win, Ben had to make something happen on damn near every play.   They would go down in points because the coach wouldn’t let Ben initiate and orchestrate that offense at times (Vividly remember yelling at the tv saying Ben needs to bring the ball up vs Vanderbilt.   It wasn’t until after a number of terrible possessions the stupid coach allowed Ben to take over).   I’m not saying Ben didn’t eventually mentally check out of games (or the season), but he had to flirt with a triple double while scoring 30 points, JUST to have a chance at winning.   Not actually winning, a fighting chance at it.

Brandon Ingram is not that good IMO and played within the pace of the game.   He’s not quick at all and will need to make that shot deadly.    Kevin Durant he is not and will take a few years to be at a level where he’s contributing nightly.

Ben?  Whenever he wants to take over, he does.   There’s literally not many players in the NBA that can stay with him, so if you’re upset at all the drama and him not taking his team to the tourney, SHUT UP.    You can legit look at his game and say he’ll be dominant in the league.   Blake Griffin didn’t have a jumper entering the league either.    Ben will be a superstar no doubt about that.

For the record, I’m an AVID Duke fan, so no bias over here.

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Disagree with the "Ben can take over whenever he wants" notion. If he could, why didn’t he? Again, LSU didn’t have a bunch of DII guys around him and I think people are getting hyperbolic when they say the roster wasn’t good around him. 

LSU wasn’t a great team, I’m not saying they were perfect. But they won 19 games so its not like they were a dumpster fire. They had some horrendous losses to teams like Houston, Charleston, Wake Forrest and a handful of crappy SEC teams. If Simmons could take over, why didn’t he score more than 15 points against Charleston? Or 4 points against NC State? These are losses that prevented them from getting into the tournament. 

Why couldn’t Ben make an impact without orchestrating the offense? 

I’m not saying the kid doesn’t have talent. He obviously does. He put up ridiculous numbers. But I don’t see a generational, LeBron type prospect here. He compounds that by coming off as entitled and willing to fold when things don’t go well. He picked LSU. He was quick to fold on that team. How’s he going to do when he’s picked by a bad team that he isn’t all that invested in?

Agree that Ingram isn’t Kevin Durant, though if thats the main knock on him, I think thats saying plenty. I think he’s a B version of Durant, which is a heck of a player anyways. He’s not a freak athlete, but he’s Kyle Anderson either. 

 

 

 

[tuck243Participant]

 But that NC State game he was faced with a lot of double teams and had to give the ball up.   When he played Vanderbilt he DOMINATED.   There’s no doubt if he chooses to lock in, he’s hard to stop.   The same can be said for LeBron and the same can be said for Kevin Durant.   2 players who DOMINATES when they really decide to turn it on.   KD coasted a lot this past season…  Maybe that’s a flaw of Ben’s, but it’s obvious his biggest obstacles are his jumper and himself.   Not too many people possess the skills he does with that quick first step.    

Deciding between Ben and Ingram is a no brainer.    Ben is going to be a legit superstar.   Brandon?   IDK…  He’s not that athletic and more of an open shooter.   Not really a tough shot maker.    I hope he does well, but Ben will be a star ASAP.   Look for him to put up ROY Blake Griffin type numbers next season.   

And I’ll screenshot these messages and revisit this time next season.    Since we’re both making bold statements.

 

 

 

 

[tuck243Participant]

 But that NC State game he was faced with a lot of double teams and had to give the ball up.   When he played Vanderbilt he DOMINATED.   There’s no doubt if he chooses to lock in, he’s hard to stop.   The same can be said for LeBron and the same can be said for Kevin Durant.   2 players who DOMINATES when they really decide to turn it on.   KD coasted a lot this past season…  Maybe that’s a flaw of Ben’s, but it’s obvious his biggest obstacles are his jumper and himself.   Not too many people possess the skills he does with that quick first step.    

Deciding between Ben and Ingram is a no brainer.    Ben is going to be a legit superstar.   Brandon?   IDK…  He’s not that athletic and more of an open shooter.   Not really a tough shot maker.    I hope he does well, but Ben will be a star ASAP.   Look for him to put up ROY Blake Griffin type numbers next season.   

And I’ll screenshot these messages and revisit this time next season.    Since we’re both making bold statements.

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Disagree with the "Ben can take over whenever he wants" notion. If he could, why didn’t he? Again, LSU didn’t have a bunch of DII guys around him and I think people are getting hyperbolic when they say the roster wasn’t good around him. 

LSU wasn’t a great team, I’m not saying they were perfect. But they won 19 games so its not like they were a dumpster fire. They had some horrendous losses to teams like Houston, Charleston, Wake Forrest and a handful of crappy SEC teams. If Simmons could take over, why didn’t he score more than 15 points against Charleston? Or 4 points against NC State? These are losses that prevented them from getting into the tournament. 

Why couldn’t Ben make an impact without orchestrating the offense? 

I’m not saying the kid doesn’t have talent. He obviously does. He put up ridiculous numbers. But I don’t see a generational, LeBron type prospect here. He compounds that by coming off as entitled and willing to fold when things don’t go well. He picked LSU. He was quick to fold on that team. How’s he going to do when he’s picked by a bad team that he isn’t all that invested in?

Agree that Ingram isn’t Kevin Durant, though if thats the main knock on him, I think thats saying plenty. I think he’s a B version of Durant, which is a heck of a player anyways. He’s not a freak athlete, but he’s Kyle Anderson either. 

 

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

Interview…… Goodman’s conclusion was that had Ingram & Simmons switched teams No one in the country would be having the "Who should be #1 debate…."

And Goodman likes Ingram A LOT……. he likes Jamal Murray, Bender, Dunn & he Luvs Buddy Hield……. but in Goodman’s words Simmons has an excellent chance to be a Super Star…….

Goodman went on to scoff at the criticism’s of Simmons heart at LSU…… according to Goodman ……"In 3 years in High School Simmons lost ONE basketball game……."…….

Goodman went on to say Simmons is not just Uber talented but is Also "one of the Smartest Basketball players he has ever seen at this age…."

Goodman saw Simmons play 125X Before college according to him…… that sound sInsane…. but that’s what he said b/c he follows AAU………….. He sees All these kids B4 college….. Including Ingram…… & he luvs Ingram but according to Goodman he’s just Not at Simmons level

 

 

 

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

Interview…… Goodman’s conclusion was that had Ingram & Simmons switched teams No one in the country would be having the "Who should be #1 debate…."

And Goodman likes Ingram A LOT……. he likes Jamal Murray, Bender, Dunn & he Luvs Buddy Hield……. but in Goodman’s words Simmons has an excellent chance to be a Super Star…….

Goodman went on to scoff at the criticism’s of Simmons heart at LSU…… according to Goodman ……"In 3 years in High School Simmons lost ONE basketball game……."…….

Goodman went on to say Simmons is not just Uber talented but is Also "one of the Smartest Basketball players he has ever seen at this age…."

Goodman saw Simmons play 125X Before college according to him…… that sound sInsane…. but that’s what he said b/c he follows AAU………….. He sees All these kids B4 college….. Including Ingram…… & he luvs Ingram but according to Goodman he’s just Not at Simmons level

 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

Duke has a long history of making average pros look like standout College athletes.

Thats because they take bright kids with good scholastic basketball pedigree and moderate talent levels and they know will buy into the best basketball program in the country.

Obviously many have good Pro careers, but the All Star games are hardly stacked with Duke players which is odd given the quality of their recruiting classes.

[Hype Machine]

Duke has a long history of making average pros look like standout College athletes.

Thats because they take bright kids with good scholastic basketball pedigree and moderate talent levels and they know will buy into the best basketball program in the country.

Obviously many have good Pro careers, but the All Star games are hardly stacked with Duke players which is odd given the quality of their recruiting classes.

[Oryan99Participant]

 

 Simmons would’ve been a better fit at Duke. Since Simmons is a standout passer,  he would’ve created open looks for Allen, Kennard, Jones etc. LSU had a lot of issues, injuries, bad shooting, terrible coaching and bad chemistry.  It’s hard to imagine that Ingram would’ve led this team to the tournament if he was on it. Think of Ben Simmons like an Anthony Davis sort of situation. We wouldn’t say that AD isn’t a stellar player just because of his team’s injuries and struggles.  

 

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

 I highly agree with the fact that Ben Simmons passing ability would have been a great fit with all of those shooters Duke has along with the dribble/drive offense they run. When Duke had Austin Rivers, they ran a high screen and roll for him as their best player. Ben Simmons in a high screen and roll and dribble drive offense at Duke would have made them fun to watch. Ben is going to be a great player. Ingram wasn’t to damn shabby at Duke either. Hard to say who wouldnbe a better fit at Duke. I’ll also say that if Ingram were on LSU in place of Ben Simmons, their season would have been identical to what Simmons LSU season looked like, if not worse. Ben made some of the average players better and got open shots for the other guys because of how great he passes the ball. Ingram is more of a natural scorer because his shot is better while Simmons scored most of his points off just being bigger, stronger, faster. 19ppg without a jumpshot playing mostly point forward is impressive regardless of the level of competition. Not to mention 12 rebounds a game and probably all of the defensive ones he started a primary or secondary fast break because he can get it and go. If be can get a reliable jumper, his peak is a top 10-15 player. Maybe higher depending on how much passing is valued. 

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

 I highly agree with the fact that Ben Simmons passing ability would have been a great fit with all of those shooters Duke has along with the dribble/drive offense they run. When Duke had Austin Rivers, they ran a high screen and roll for him as their best player. Ben Simmons in a high screen and roll and dribble drive offense at Duke would have made them fun to watch. Ben is going to be a great player. Ingram wasn’t to damn shabby at Duke either. Hard to say who wouldnbe a better fit at Duke. I’ll also say that if Ingram were on LSU in place of Ben Simmons, their season would have been identical to what Simmons LSU season looked like, if not worse. Ben made some of the average players better and got open shots for the other guys because of how great he passes the ball. Ingram is more of a natural scorer because his shot is better while Simmons scored most of his points off just being bigger, stronger, faster. 19ppg without a jumpshot playing mostly point forward is impressive regardless of the level of competition. Not to mention 12 rebounds a game and probably all of the defensive ones he started a primary or secondary fast break because he can get it and go. If be can get a reliable jumper, his peak is a top 10-15 player. Maybe higher depending on how much passing is valued. 

[Oryan99Participant]

 

 Simmons would’ve been a better fit at Duke. Since Simmons is a standout passer,  he would’ve created open looks for Allen, Kennard, Jones etc. LSU had a lot of issues, injuries, bad shooting, terrible coaching and bad chemistry.  It’s hard to imagine that Ingram would’ve led this team to the tournament if he was on it. Think of Ben Simmons like an Anthony Davis sort of situation. We wouldn’t say that AD isn’t a stellar player just because of his team’s injuries and struggles.  

 

[theballerwayParticipant]

 Absolute nonsense . I think wuth ingram ason Lsu they certaimly make it to tbe tournament. For one with Ingram wvery body gets to play their normal roles  and play to their strengths and would have been atleastvas good as the team the year before even without the big guys who are currently in the league. While nobody was praising him one year with simmons and all of a sudden the coach is shit and the players are ass. Playing with simmons in certain ways is like playing with Lebron in the sense that you just basically wait for him to finish with the ball and hope it finds you. So players have to adjust and sometimes this takes a while (like in miami and cke now) thus other guys get marginalized(remember when k.love was dropping 25 and 15 agame).  So now with simmons on duke their engine was Allen who now has to play off the ball a ton more he doesnt havevthe year that he has but that might be a gd thing and i think they would have gotten just as far maybe a round or two further but also remember tha Acc is tougher than the sec so Just as it was easy for simmons to givebyou 20 ppg Ingram surely does better statistically against weaker comp.  

 

At the end of thevday its all soeculation n opinionated guesses but Ingram i think would still shine and maybe brighter with increased stats. I do understand that simmons would look shiny as a dukie and still be consensus no1 but i got Lsu in the tourny sorry

 

 

[theballerwayParticipant]

 Absolute nonsense . I think wuth ingram ason Lsu they certaimly make it to tbe tournament. For one with Ingram wvery body gets to play their normal roles  and play to their strengths and would have been atleastvas good as the team the year before even without the big guys who are currently in the league. While nobody was praising him one year with simmons and all of a sudden the coach is shit and the players are ass. Playing with simmons in certain ways is like playing with Lebron in the sense that you just basically wait for him to finish with the ball and hope it finds you. So players have to adjust and sometimes this takes a while (like in miami and cke now) thus other guys get marginalized(remember when k.love was dropping 25 and 15 agame).  So now with simmons on duke their engine was Allen who now has to play off the ball a ton more he doesnt havevthe year that he has but that might be a gd thing and i think they would have gotten just as far maybe a round or two further but also remember tha Acc is tougher than the sec so Just as it was easy for simmons to givebyou 20 ppg Ingram surely does better statistically against weaker comp.  

 

At the end of thevday its all soeculation n opinionated guesses but Ingram i think would still shine and maybe brighter with increased stats. I do understand that simmons would look shiny as a dukie and still be consensus no1 but i got Lsu in the tourny sorry

 

 

[kdtriv01Participant]

 Simmons made a poor choice by going to LSU. Johnny Jones didn’t know what to do with him and was, it seems at times, afraid to challenge him. He didn’t bring out the best in him.  If Simmons had went to Duke or Kentucky where the coach is the main attraction they would have benched him to wake him up. Then we would have got to see his true potential. 

On the flip side of that Ingram is just the type of player Jonny Jones would have loved to coach  he’s self motivated and doesn’t need constant encouragement or a kick in the pants  Both players would have been successful at their new schools  and I do believe LSU would have made it to the tourney  

Last thing  as a UK fan I’m eternally grateful that Duke never got their hands on Simmons  that would have been scary  

So if Simmons had gone to Duke he would still be going number 1, but Ingram may drop a little but would still be drafted in the top 5  

That’s how I see it anyway 

 

 

[kdtriv01Participant]

 Simmons made a poor choice by going to LSU. Johnny Jones didn’t know what to do with him and was, it seems at times, afraid to challenge him. He didn’t bring out the best in him.  If Simmons had went to Duke or Kentucky where the coach is the main attraction they would have benched him to wake him up. Then we would have got to see his true potential. 

On the flip side of that Ingram is just the type of player Jonny Jones would have loved to coach  he’s self motivated and doesn’t need constant encouragement or a kick in the pants  Both players would have been successful at their new schools  and I do believe LSU would have made it to the tourney  

Last thing  as a UK fan I’m eternally grateful that Duke never got their hands on Simmons  that would have been scary  

So if Simmons had gone to Duke he would still be going number 1, but Ingram may drop a little but would still be drafted in the top 5  

That’s how I see it anyway 

 

 

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

 I agree with those saying Simmons would have fit better at Duke. His biggest flaw is his tendency to disappear during games, and with the spotlight constantly being on Duke, added with the fact K isn’t afraid to bench star players that aren’t playing up to par, I see him having no choice but to step it up. Coach K would have done wonders with a skilled, position-less player like Simmons.

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

 I agree with those saying Simmons would have fit better at Duke. His biggest flaw is his tendency to disappear during games, and with the spotlight constantly being on Duke, added with the fact K isn’t afraid to bench star players that aren’t playing up to par, I see him having no choice but to step it up. Coach K would have done wonders with a skilled, position-less player like Simmons.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 If Simmons had Coach K developing him he would have played much better this year. Ingram would have likely been a better fit on LSU since Quarterman is essentially a smaller way less productive version of Simmons but Ingram’s shot selection, decision making would be terrible and his mental lapses would have been extended. Although I’m a fond believer that in Simmons case teams knew what they had with him before the year began and he hasnt hurt his stock enough to lose his position and Ingram just had to showcase himself a bit before teams were willing to invest a Top 3 pick. Both players college seasons proved they will be productive pros and it would likely have been the same case had they swapped teams.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 If Simmons had Coach K developing him he would have played much better this year. Ingram would have likely been a better fit on LSU since Quarterman is essentially a smaller way less productive version of Simmons but Ingram’s shot selection, decision making would be terrible and his mental lapses would have been extended. Although I’m a fond believer that in Simmons case teams knew what they had with him before the year began and he hasnt hurt his stock enough to lose his position and Ingram just had to showcase himself a bit before teams were willing to invest a Top 3 pick. Both players college seasons proved they will be productive pros and it would likely have been the same case had they swapped teams.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 @Tuck…sounds good. Screenshot what I wrote. 

I guess I don’t view my opinion of him as "bold"…it’s just the way I see him. Think he’ll be a fine NBA player, just not generational like folks hyping him at ESPN want him to be. 

I couldn’t care less if I’m wrong. I very well might be. Maybe Simmons was totally coasting in college and once he’s getting paid (officially of course) and getting endoresments, his motor won’t be a problem…or maybe he is really just that good that he can change games without really trying. Wouldn’t be the first time I’d be wrong, nor would it be the last. 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 @Tuck…sounds good. Screenshot what I wrote. 

I guess I don’t view my opinion of him as "bold"…it’s just the way I see him. Think he’ll be a fine NBA player, just not generational like folks hyping him at ESPN want him to be. 

I couldn’t care less if I’m wrong. I very well might be. Maybe Simmons was totally coasting in college and once he’s getting paid (officially of course) and getting endoresments, his motor won’t be a problem…or maybe he is really just that good that he can change games without really trying. Wouldn’t be the first time I’d be wrong, nor would it be the last. 

 

 

 

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