LSU's Ben Simmons

[steverocks35]

I just watched the game again, and I just realized something. For all the talk of what a great passer he is, Ben Simmons got zero assists in the second half. None.

He spent most of the half loafing around on the perimeter. When he got the ball he stood there with it looking around most of the time. He's a good player, but if he wants to be elite he's going to have to work on his motor. He looked either tired or lazy, I don't get it, other than the fact his coaching is terrible.

 

[BigTime]

Jones is a cheat and a horrible coach imo. Feel sorry for Simmons going there.

 

[steverocks35]

Jones is a cheat and a horrible coach imo. Feel sorry for Simmons going there.

Yep, it's almost like Simmons felt obligated to go there because his godfather is on the staff.

 

[TheMont]

Yes, I noticed the assist thing too. Even in the first half when he had 5, it wasn't like he was making particularly spectacular passes or creating a shot for a teammate.... He would just get the ball in the post, decide not to try to score, and then pass it to the 3-point shooter nearest to him... and ALL of the LSU shooters were lights out in the first.

 

[steverocks35]

Yes, I noticed the assist thing too. Even in the first half when he had 5, it wasn't like he was making particularly spectacular passes or creating a shot for a teammate.... He would just get the ball in the post, decide not to try to score, and then pass it to the 3-point shooter nearest to him... and ALL of the LSU shooters were lights out in the first.

Exactly, it's easy to get assists when your teammates are making everything they throw at the basket.

 

[AdaSooner]

It's obvious Simmons has a lot of potential that will make him wealthy someday. But, all of this talk about him being the next "LeBron James" or "Magic Johnson" is premature at best. He's got unique skills for a kid his size, especially for a freshman not far removed from his senior year in high school. Yet, he's not even close to Magic or LeBron when they were his age. I saw Magic play in high school, and he was a much better ball handler and passer than the young man I saw in yesterday's game.

 

[sanguinetti]

I just watched the game again, and I just realized something. For all the talk of what a great passer he is, Ben Simmons got zero assists in the second half. None.

He spent most of the half loafing around on the perimeter. When he got the ball he stood there with it looking around most of the time. He's a good player, but if he wants to be elite he's going to have to work on his motor. He looked either tired or lazy, I don't get it, other than the fact his coaching is terrible.

Simmons is the last player down the floor on LSU's final second dribble-drive that Lattin blocks. i thought that was weird. there may be a reason, i may be wrong....he's standing at the time line when Lattin blocks the drive to the basket.

 

[steverocks35]

It's obvious Simmons has a lot of potential that will make him wealthy someday. But, all of this talk about him being the next "LeBron James" or "Magic Johnson" is premature at best. He's got unique skills for a kid his size, especially for a freshman not far removed from his senior year in high school. Yet, he's not even close to Magic or LeBron when they were his age. I saw Magic play in high school, and he was a much better ball handler and passer than the young man I saw in yesterday's game.

Yep, I think I made the Magic comparison in a different thread, then I re-watched the game. Simmons looked lost out there in retrospect. Magic had a non-stop motor and a competitive fire that Simmons doesn't possess at this point. I'm not sure if that's something you can learn.

 

[steverocks35]

Simmons is the last player down the floor on LSU's final second dribble-drive that Lattin blocks. i thought that was weird. there may be a reason, i may be wrong....he's standing at the time line when Lattin blocks the drive to the basket.

He spent most of the second half loafing, it is weird.

 

[tycat947]

I just watched the game again, and I just realized something. For all the talk of what a great passer he is, Ben Simmons got zero assists in the second half. None.

He spent most of the half loafing around on the perimeter. When he got the ball he stood there with it looking around most of the time. He's a good player, but if he wants to be elite he's going to have to work on his motor. He looked either tired or lazy, I don't get it, other than the fact his coaching is terrible.

Yes! Was hilarious when Ben's snuggle bunny, Dickie V, mentioned he was great passer and almost on cue we intercepted his pass and he did the same just a few minutes later.

He's a great talent and will be good in NBA but Dickie V's slobbering over him was largely uncalled for yesterday.

 

[AdaSooner]

Yep, I think I made the Magic comparison in a different thread, then I re-watched the game. Simmons looked lost out there in retrospect. Magic had a non-stop motor and a competitive fire that Simmons doesn't possess at this point. I'm not sure if that's something you can learn.

I wasn't talking about you, steve. I have heard television commentators make those comparisons.

 

[steverocks35]

I know you weren't, ha, but I was guilty of making the comparison too. It's a pretty unfair comparison for Simmons, there probably will never be another Magic Johnson.

 

[hoopsaustin]

He's gonna be good.. a PG ability even tho? No way

 

[AdaSooner]

I know you weren't, ha, but I was guilty of making the comparison too. It's a pretty unfair comparison for Simmons, there probably will never be another Magic Johnson.

Definitely not in my lifetime. "Pistol Pete" was the closest thing to Magic I can remember. There have been other great dribbler/passers over the years. But, in their own way, Magic and the Pistol were on a different level than anyone I have seen in more decades than my aging memory has room for.

 

[oudna]

He's not a franchise changer, he's a really good complimentary piece. Unless he totally reworks his game.

 

[steverocks35]

Definitely not in my lifetime. "Pistol Pete" was the closest thing to Magic I can remember. There have been other great dribbler/passers over the years. But, in their own way, Magic and the Pistol were on a different level than anyone I have seen in more decades than my aging memory has room for.

I never saw Maravich play, but people forget what an amazing player Magic was. He was a 6' 9" point guard in an era where the centers were about that height. I still remember Magic starting at center in the NBA finals. I think he might have had a triple double. What a player.

 

[luckyc1423]

He's not a franchise changer, he's a really good complimentary piece. Unless he totally reworks his game.

Simmons is a complete stud no matter what anyone thinks.

But I agree with the quote. He is not a franchise player unless he does two things
1) Learns to play with a fire under his a$$
2) learns to shoot the ball well


But man, in 3-4 years this kid could be one of the best complimentary players in the league.

Its going to be key which team he goes to. The list of teams below I think he would have such a big impact that he could push them over the edge into real contenders (obviously these teams would have to make big trades to trade up high enough to get him in the draft)

1) Houston -- I am a homer and this is a longshot. But I think simmons could work well in the system. (probably no way Houston could trade enough pieces to get him)

2) New Orleans -- He would play very nicely alongside Davis and would make them pretty much locks for the playoffs each year

3) Washington -- They are already fun to watch and this would make them even more interesting

4) Lakers -- even though they are horrible, If you can draft him I think they can get a big free agent to come and you could see Lakers turning it around in as soon as 2-3 years



I think buddy could be a game changer on the following below teams

1) Houston -- yes again a homer. But if he continues to shoot at a high percentage that would fit in well with Houston

2) New Orleans -- spread the floor for davis to work his magic

3) clippers -- I think he could be huge for the clippers. him and Reddick splitting time.

 

[AdaSooner]

I never saw Maravich play, but people forget what an amazing player Magic was. He was a 6' 9" point guard in an era where the centers were about that height. I still remember Magic starting at center in the NBA finals. I think he might have had a triple double. What a player.

Magic was also the tournament MVP the year MSU won't the national championship. Magic Johnson against Larry Bird. It doesn't get any better than that!

Google Maravich and watch some of his highlight videos. You won't regret it.

 

[Max Power]

Magic was also the tournament MVP the year MSU won't the national championship. Magic Johnson against Larry Bird. It doesn't get any better than that!

Google Maravich and watch some of his highlight videos. You won't regret it.

My dad had an old highlight VHS' of Pistol Pete. Pete was one of the most spectacular ball handlers/passers ever.

 

[sybarite]

Definitely not in my lifetime. "Pistol Pete" was the closest thing to Magic I can remember. There have been other great dribbler/passers over the years. But, in their own way, Magic and the Pistol were on a different level than anyone I have seen in more decades than my aging memory has room for.

I hadn't thought of that comparison. I think Simmons has an excellent future. But, the comparison to Magic suggests that someone hadn't seen Magic. He was a point guard, and I saw nothing that said that Simmons could bring the ball up against a press. He is like Magic and Pete in that he can pass, but not as effectively as they did. They took it to another level. I also doubt that he could play post in the NBA finals (at least one of the seven games, as a sub for an injured Jabbar). I think they would eat him alive. Excellent prospect. Wrong comparisons.