The Ben Simmons Sweepstakes

[One More Rebound]

Simmons with 28 points and 17 boards in a loss to Florida. It should be fun to see OU vs LSU coming up, and also Buddy vs Ben as a comparison.

 

[NickZepp]

14 and 9 vs us.

 

[One More Rebound]

14 and 9 vs us.

On only seven shots...

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

Such a waste of time for him to have a 6 month detour in Baton Rouge.

I was sort of wondering the same thing. Seems he could have spent his one year somewhere that he could win.

 

[playmakr]

I would take Ingram #1

 

[NickZepp]

I would take Ingram #1

I may take Buddy if he keeps showing off.

 

[One More Rebound]

Some have compared Ben to LeBron-the better comparison is Lamar Odom. Ben is very talented, but tends to vanish in big games.

 

[Smash Williams]

Some have compared Ben to LeBron-the better comparison is Lamar Odom. Ben is very talented, but tends to vanish in big games.

It's an interesting comparison: same size, similar skill sets, both lefties (sort of). They were both 19 years old at the start of their only seasons of college, with Simmons being 3.5 months older than Odom as a freshman.

Odom
34.9 MPG
17.6 PPG
9.4 RPG
3.8 APG
0.8 SPG
1.5 BPG

6.3/13.2 FG/FGA (.482)
33/100 3P/3PA (.330)
3.9/5.7 FT/FTA (.687)

5.8 WS
.206 WS/40

Simmons
34.9 MPG
19.2 PPG
11.8 RPG
4.8 APG
2.0 SPG
0.8 BPG

6.5/11.7 FG/FGA (.560)
1/3 3P/3PA (.333)
6.0/9.0 FT/FTA (.670)

6.0 WS
.207 WS/40

Their statistical profiles are very similar. To Simmons' credit, against better competition he accumulated substantially more rebounds, steals, and free throw attempts, all of which bode well as indicators of his length-athleticism combo. On the other hand, Odom blocked a lot more shots and flashed some 3-point range.

Odom had a very good NBA career, but he obviously didn't live up to his superstar potential. I've read the stuff questioning Simmons mentality and drive, but he also isn't weighed down by the heavy personal baggage that undoubtedly got in the way of Odom's development. I'm also hesitant to read too much into Simmons' disposition during his one season on a terribly coached college team.

The LeBron comparison isn't fair, just as it wasn't fair to compare Odom to Magic Johnson back in 1999. Simmons may end up closer to Odom than LeBron, but Odom is probably Simmons' floor (or close to it). I'm starting to lean towards Ingram over Simmons, but I think they're clearly the top two.

 

[One More Rebound]

It's an interesting comparison: same size, similar skill sets, both lefties (sort of). They were both 19 years old at the start of their only seasons of college, with Simmons being 3.5 months older than Odom as a freshman.

Odom
34.9 MPG
17.6 PPG
9.4 RPG
3.8 APG
0.8 SPG
1.5 BPG

6.3/13.2 FG/FGA (.482)
33/100 3P/3PA (.330)
3.9/5.7 FT/FTA (.687)

5.8 WS
.206 WS/40

Simmons
34.9 MPG
19.2 PPG
11.8 RPG
4.8 APG
2.0 SPG
0.8 BPG

6.5/11.7 FG/FGA (.560)
1/3 3P/3PA (.333)
6.0/9.0 FT/FTA (.670)

6.0 WS
.207 WS/40

Their statistical profiles are very similar. To Simmons' credit, against better competition he accumulated substantially more rebounds, steals, and free throw attempts, all of which bode well as indicators of his length-athleticism combo. On the other hand, Odom blocked a lot more shots and flashed some 3-point range.

Odom had a very good NBA career, but he obviously didn't live up to his superstar potential. I've read the stuff questioning Simmons mentality and drive, but he also isn't weighed down by the heavy personal baggage that undoubtedly got in the way of Odom's development. I'm also hesitant to read too much into Simmons' disposition during his one season on a terribly coached college team.

The LeBron comparison isn't fair, just as it wasn't fair to compare Odom to Magic Johnson back in 1999. Simmons may end up closer to Odom than LeBron, but Odom is probably Simmons' floor (or close to it). I'm starting to lean towards Ingram over Simmons, but I think they're clearly the top two.

Oh, I think Ben will be a better pro than Lamar. It's just that I question whether Ben has that killer instinct, or will he defer to teammates come crunch time in games? His potential is off the charts, and I hope his pro coach is better than his college coach.