Dont Invest Too Much Into The Criticisms of Ben Simmons

Like most highly regarded draft prospects, there have been many questions raised of Ben Simmons’ character. But don’t invest too much into those rumors.

As the 2016 NBA Draft approaches, more speculations and reports will surface regarding the players in this year’s draft.

Some will be positive, and may possibly boost a player’s value to be selected in the lottery. Some will hurt a player’s value, which could lead to them falling down the draft board, where they were originally projected to be selected.

Although Ben Simmons won’t get past the Los Angeles Lakers at the second overall pick if the Philadelphia 76ers decide to pass on him, there have been many questions raised lately about if he lacks a killer instinct or if his outside shot will improve in the NBA.

One of the reasons some believe Simmons lacks a spark is because he elected not to play for Australia in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He told officials from the Australian team he wants to focus solely on the NBA Draft and plans to play for the team as early as 2018.

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Another, is his college team, LSU, decided not participate in the NIT Tournament after posting a 19-14 record in the regular season and not qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

But, the fact is, these types of questions are asked every year regarding the top prospects in the draft.

Like Simmons, in 2014, then-Kansas Jayhawk and now a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrew Wiggins, faced similar criticisms.

In Wiggins’ final game at Kansas in the third round of NCAA tournament, he scored four points by shooting one-for-six from the field in a 60-57 loss to Stanford.

After that game, questions were asked everyday leading up to the 2014 NBA Draft whether not Wiggins possessed the alpha-male trait to be an aggressive superstar in the NBA.

But after winning Rookie Of The Year in 2015 and averaging over 18 points per game in his first two seasons, it sure looks that Wiggins has answered those questions.

While many are concerned with Simmons’ unwillingness to play in the olympics or if he has a killer instinct to take over a game, I’m not investing much into the work ethic of a 19-year old who still has much time to grow.

If anything, Simmons’ ability to stuff the stat-sheet suggests he’s capable of producing at the next level.

Simmons had 388 total rebounds last season in Baton Rouge, which ranked for ninth best in the NCAA. To crash the boards when a shot goes up, box-out and fight for a loose ball is all about effort, and the willingness to win.

He’s also the first player to average over 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists per game since Ron Harper did at Miami Ohio in 1986.

And even though Simmons averaged nearly 20 a night, he did so by only taking three, 3-point attempts all season, which raises some concern whether or not his shot will be able to grow in the NBA.

But, 76ers’ president of basketball operations, Bryan Colangelo, told Howard Eskin on WIP’s Morning Show on May 31 that Simmons’ shot isn’t broken.

“If you look at Ben Simmons, he’s got a shot that’s not broken,” Colangelo said. “He just didn’t take a lot of shots at the college level because of what was there—in terms of his talent and the people on the floor with him.

“And the way he used his offensive skillset to create for others and find ways to score without having to shoot threes. I mean, here’s a guy who averaged almost 20 points a game and 11 rebounds or so without an outside shot, and it says a lot about what he’s capable of doing.”

Colangelo said if they select Simmons with the first overall pick, he will have more time as a pro to redefine his shot with the 76ers’ coaches and trainers than he would during his time at LSU.

And on a Australian radio show titled “The Grill Masters,” Simmons said he just wants to be the number overall pick.

“For me, I just want to be the number one player,” Simmons said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to go first, so if I go first it’s awesome.”