it's way early, but how would Ben Simmons fit in Stevens system?

Michael Scotto: Celtics GM Danny Ainge among those on hand here at Barclays Center to watch projected No. 1 pick Ben Simmons and Marquette’s Henry Ellenson.

– via Twitter MikeAScotto


http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ben-Simmons-61928/


The LSU-bound freshman proved himself as the best NBA prospect at Nike Academy, further justifying his #2 spot on the DraftExpress 2016 Mock Draft.

Simmons is an extremely unique talent with an outstanding feel for the game and an ability to handle, pass, make plays with either hand, defend multiple positions and play above the rim in transition at 6' 9.5” 229 pounds.

Simmons made plays all over the floor and was far away the most talented passer in the gym day in and day out. With the ability to grab a rebound and run the break in transition, Simmons is nearly impossible to stop in the open court. His combination of strength and speed at that size makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing power forwards.

Simmons' success wasn't only limited to transition, however. He thrived as a point forward of sorts, handling the ball in pick and roll sets and dissecting the defense out of post isolations. He has elite court vision and uses different angles to deliver the ball on the money with either hand.

While he's best as a distributor, Simmons also does an outstanding job getting low to the ground on his perimeter drives as his combination of strength and a quick first step allows him to get all the way to the rim, where he's comfortable finishing with either hand.

Simmons can be prone to throwing up wild attempts at the rim and avoiding contact inside, however. While his passing instincts are tremendous, he does go for the home run play a bit too often at times.

The main area where Simmons still has quite a bit of room for growth is as a shooter. Although he does get solid rotation on the ball and has some natural touch, Simmons' shooting mechanics aren't ideal, as he sports a fairly slow windup and involved his ring and pinky finger too much on his release. The Aussie did knock down a couple of mid-rage jumpers and banked in a three, but his jumper still remains his biggest question mark moving forward.

Given his inconsistencies as a shooter at this stage of his development, Simmons is best as a playmaking power forward who would thrive in a system where he's able to handle the ball and create for his teammates.

Defensively, Simmons showed outstanding versatility, staying in front of quick perimeter players with relative ease. He's very mobile for his size and has the strength to battle on the interior as well. It's Simmons offensive talent that often has scouts and media members buzzing, but he really has a chance to be an excellent defender and two-way player. Simmons isn't overly tough and doesn't quite have elite length for a power forward, making him best defending the perimeter at this stage, but he certainly has the size and frame to develop into a better interior defender in time. Although he still has room to improve as a shooter, Simmons was by far the most intriguing talent at Nike Academy and will most certainly make a strong case for becoming the #1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
[Read Full Article]


From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz3sPoGmBhF
http://www.draftexpress.com


Some have compared him to Lamar Odom.

Looks like a solid replacement for E. Turner at SF to me!

Sign Horford as FA somehow and you tell me how good this team can be?

BTW, As things stand right now (early of course) Danny would have Three first round picks:

3. from the Nets
18. Our own
25. from Dallas

31. from Philly at the top of the second round.

Thomas Bryant from Indiana may be a guy to watch with later picks in this draft.

at #3 I doubt Simmons would be there, so Danny would have to trade to move up at least one spot.

its a lottery, you have to be in it, then get lucky....

cowens/oldschool wrote:its a lottery, you have to be in it, then get lucky....

Put another way:

You have to suck and then hope you don't roll craps and continue to suck another year so you can get the chance to hope you don't roll craps again...

OR, you can be Danny and have your eyes light up like Christmas trees when they see Billy King of the Nets.


bob


.