The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Who really is Ben Simmons’ closest comparison?

By Luke Swiatek

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on October 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on October 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 18: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the game on October 18, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 18: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the game on October 18, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The true points

Maybe I’ve been going about this all wrong. Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown says that Simmons is a point guard: why don’t I compare him to other point guards?

One problem is that any of the top point guards in the NBA at least have some semblance of an outside jumper. If I want to compare him to point guards, I have to find some that are good passers and who can’t shoot.

Let’s look at who I came up with.

Jeez, even Rondo shoots better than Simmons! His lack of a jumper makes this very difficult. I heard in the pre-draft process that many people called Simmons “a 6 foot-10 inch version of Rajon Rondo,” who would be a pretty good player for sure, but Simmons shoots even worse than Rondo.

Additionally, Rondo can’t cover forwards and Simmons can’t cover guards, so that’s another difference. That statement holds true for our next player as well, Ricky Rubio.

Similar to Rondo, Rubio is a poor finisher inside, only converting on 45 percent of looks around the rim. Simmons is also slightly below-average in this respect, shooting 51 percent from near the basket for the Philadelphia 76ers.

I honestly thought that my man Ricky Rubs as I like to call him (pronounced Ruhbs, not Roobs) would really have a similar shot chart. I thought, “here’s a guy who can’t shoot to save his life!” Yet somehow, he takes far less than half of his shots in the paint, while almost all of Simmons’ shots come from inside it.

They do both have some flashy passes, but so do many other players in the league. But for my last point guard, I choose someone who I KNOW doesn’t take many threes.

Unfortunately, I forgot that Shaun Livingston is absolute ca$h money from the midrange. The 6 foot-7 point guard likes to post up tiny players when they try to cover him, as does Simmons. However, Simmons bullies his way to the basket and uses a right-handed hook shot, while Livingston rises up for a turnaround fadeaway that seems almost unblockable.

Livingston also actually doesn’t handle the ball that much. Due to the nature of the Warriors, he’s always playing with at least one other superstar, so he really doesn’t run an offense the way Simmons does at all. Another failure to find a perfect comp. I’ll try one last set of players…