Early in the season it's not abnormal for a player entering a successful program to not be the central "star". (as an aside, Grayson Allen is not a borderline lotto pick, I'm honestly surprised that he's even getting consideration by NBA scouts, he just doesn't project as an effective NBA player whatsoever)
As far as recent 5 star freshmen not being the best player on the team immediately...see Wiggins' start at Kansas (deferring to Perry Ellis), Harrison Barnes at UNC (Tyler Zeller), Kyrie at Duke (Nolan Smith), Jabari at Duke (Rodney Hood), Towns at Kentucky (Aaron Harrison), Andre Drummond at Connecticut (Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier), Brad Beal at Florida (Kenny Boynton), Derrick Favors at GT (Iman Shumpert)...I could honestly just go on and on and on
Ben Simmons is more physically developed than his peers, flat out. On top of that, he is playing for LSU, a team that had nobody, so obviously he is going to be the focal point.
It's not a foregone conclusion that Simmons is the #1 pick. He's the better all around player right now, the more physically mature player right now - and he is a truly special player, but Ingram has all the potential in the world and I could easily see him ending up #1 by the end of the CBB season.
My argument is that Grayson Allen is the better player now and will be at the end of the year (in college). Borderline lotto pick was me being generous. I don't think Allen remains the better player beyond this year, however.
And I'll take any wager on Simmons going #1 overall. I think he's that special.
Early in the season it's not abnormal for a player entering a successful program to not be the central "star". (as an aside, Grayson Allen is not a borderline lotto pick, I'm honestly surprised that he's even getting consideration by NBA scouts, he just doesn't project as an effective NBA player whatsoever)
As far as recent 5 star freshmen not being the best player on the team immediately...see Wiggins' start at Kansas (deferring to Perry Ellis), Harrison Barnes at UNC (Tyler Zeller), Kyrie at Duke (Nolan Smith), Jabari at Duke (Rodney Hood), Towns at Kentucky (Aaron Harrison), Andre Drummond at Connecticut (Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier), Brad Beal at Florida (Kenny Boynton), Derrick Favors at GT (Iman Shumpert)...I could honestly just go on and on and on
Ben Simmons is more physically developed than his peers, flat out. On top of that, he is playing for LSU, a team that had nobody, so obviously he is going to be the focal point.
It's not a foregone conclusion that Simmons is the #1 pick. He's the better all around player right now, the more physically mature player right now - and he is a truly special player, but Ingram has all the potential in the world and I could easily see him ending up #1 by the end of the CBB season.
IDK about O'Connor, but DX has Skal going #1 over Simmons, which I frankly think is insane.
I see mostly a spot up shooter who can attack a closeout in Ingram. I don't see a lot of ball handling or shot creating from him. IMO, Simmons' ability to handle the ball, rebound, & pass set him apart from everyone else in this class.
Early in the season it's not abnormal for a player entering a successful program to not be the central "star". (as an aside, Grayson Allen is not a borderline lotto pick, I'm honestly surprised that he's even getting consideration by NBA scouts, he just doesn't project as an effective NBA player whatsoever)
As far as recent 5 star freshmen not being the best player on the team immediately...see Wiggins' start at Kansas (deferring to Perry Ellis), Harrison Barnes at UNC (Tyler Zeller), Kyrie at Duke (Nolan Smith), Jabari at Duke (Rodney Hood), Towns at Kentucky (Aaron Harrison), Andre Drummond at Connecticut (Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier), Brad Beal at Florida (Kenny Boynton), Derrick Favors at GT (Iman Shumpert)...I could honestly just go on and on and on
Ben Simmons is more physically developed than his peers, flat out. On top of that, he is playing for LSU, a team that had nobody, so obviously he is going to be the focal point.
It's not a foregone conclusion that Simmons is the #1 pick. He's the better all around player right now, the more physically mature player right now - and he is a truly special player, but Ingram has all the potential in the world and I could easily see him ending up #1 by the end of the CBB season.
IDK about O'Connor, but DX has Skal going #1 over Simmons, which I frankly think is insane.
I see mostly a spot up shooter who can attack a closeout in Ingram. I don't see a lot of ball handling or shot creating from him. IMO, Simmons' ability to handle the ball, rebound, & pass set him apart from everyone else in this class.
Ingram's isolation ability is still developing. He has a few pet moves that I posted in the last page - he LOVES his spin move into the lane from either side for a midrange jumper where he uses his length and vert to get separation over the top, and a durant-esque "long" crossover.
I hope Simmons has a good head on those shoulders... odd, he reminds me of Beasley when Beasley was beasting college, then pffft. _________________ "Now, if life is coffee, then the jobs, money & position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold & contain life, but the quality of life doesn't change. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."
He seems most like Lamar, similar types of strengths and limitations at a similar size, but Lamar had a much more developed shot at that same stage, and Simmons has a more developed frame.
He seems most like Lamar, similar types of strengths and limitations at a similar size, but Lamar had a much more developed shot at that same stage, and Simmons has a more developed frame.
Simmons also has a more developed sense of "I WANT TO (bleep) YOU UP" to his game.
If we get Simmons, we have to find a way to get Chip Engelland as shooting coach. Guy has Kawhi Leonard leading the league in 3pt%. Just for reference, Leonard shot 21% and 29% from three in his freshman and sophomore years respectively. Can you imagine Simmons with an outside shot? He'd be unguardable.
He just seems way more physically developed than all the other players. In the nba he won't have that advantage.
I don't want to sound like a hater/doubter because I haven't done any research, just watched that video, but what is the hype about?
If he can't shoot, he's just an athletic small forward with ball handling ability. More like an undersized pf? Maybe if he grew a bit more he'd be a great center?
On a side note, how did that college game get to that 227 points? Did no one play defense ? _________________ Kobe
2004: Sasha @ #27; passed on Varejao and Ariza; TA was wildly athletic and couldn't shoot at all
2003: Cook @ #24 ; passed on K-Perk, J-Howard, Barbosa, Steve Blake
Few teams pick up much of a guarantee of talent in that pick range but 2003 was unusually deep. I think the Lakers clearly missed better opportunity in going with Cook.
2004: Sasha @ #27; passed on Varejao and Ariza; TA was wildly athletic and couldn't shoot at all
2003: Cook @ #24 ; passed on K-Perk, J-Howard, Barbosa, Steve Blake
Few teams pick up much of a guarantee of talent in that pick range but 2003 was unusually deep. I think the Lakers clearly missed better opportunity in going with Cook.
I'll even add years.
2000: Slim pickings, but you'd think the Lakers would go with Jaric for a big PG that Phil Jackson is such a big fan of.
2002: Traded up for Kareem Rush, a player they didn't even work out. (Passed on Tayshawn and Boozer)
2003: Drafted Cook. Passed up Barbosa even though Ron Harper was his mentor leading up to the draft. Perfect time to add a speedy combo guard with length that could force turnovers and shoot 3s. Josh Howard. Kapono. Blake. Drafted a 6'10" shooter. Kapono is a local kid that shoots lights out. Blake has mamba blood.
2004: Went Sasha over Beno Udrih. Varajao. Even Chris Duhon. Still needed team speed at PG behind Fisher. Personally I was blinded with Romain Sato. Stud defender and 3pt. range. 3 and D with a 6'3" height and 6'10" wingspan.
Just, no matter what, always BPA. The Lakers passed up a handful of opportunities to add depth/talent in the early to mid 2000s that may have extended the championship run and saved legs for the team as well.
Only the most recent drafts I've been satisfied with the selection process. _________________ Resident Car Nut.
Ingram playing at the 4 for the first time tonight with Amile Jefferson out - 6 boards, 2 blocks at the half, and just had a steal into end to end push for an and 1 jam.
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