Knicks · Projected No. 1 pick Ben Simmons has no plans to work out for teams (page 1)

Yeah, I expect a lot of you guys are going to say he's doing the right thing, and even Colangelo says it is not a "red flag," but I am very suspicious of this kid's upside in the NBA, although to be honest, I have no issues with him going to Philly, because I don't think he is a great fit for them.

I think his people watched him in workouts and realized that teams were going to see that his inability to shoot might be a major liability for him.

I see him as a project, and more of a 5-10 pick. Has a lot of ability, but also many holes in his game. I would even be more comfortable as a GM if he did the kind of workout KP and Miles Turner did in Vegas before the draft, or what about the kind of taped workout WCS put out, which showed him hitting consecutive jump shots.

Simmons was on a somewhat decent team and as the season progressed he did not emerge as a special player, IMO, and even regressed in some ways, especially in terms of his attitude.

We will see...but I would take Ingram at #1 if I was Colangelo.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/projec...

cbssports.com
Projected No. 1 pick Ben Simmons has no plans to work out for teams
by Matt Moore

Part of the entire pre-draft process in the NBA is power management. Teams want to evaluate players as closely as possible, pull in as much information as they can muster in order to try and derive what the most accurate picture of their profile is. Players, on the other hand, only want to project the best, so that they'll be taken as high as possible, which carries not only more prestige, but more money.

As you slide down the draft order, you have to compromise more. You sign up for workouts, hoping to impress and lift your stock. You interview more. You do what you can to try and make an impression. But if you're at the top of the draft, you want to shut everything down and stay there.

That's what Ben Simmons is doing.

There was speculation before the lottery that Simmons wanted to be drafted by the Lakers. But Simmons hasn't worked out for the Sixers or the Lakers, and won't be working out for anything. He's shutting it down. If the Sixers want to take him at No. 1, they'll have to sight unseen.

Unless something changes, the 76ers won't work out out Ben Simmons during the NBA predraft process - at least not at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

They are expected to use the first overall pick on the former Louisiana State University power forward. However, Simmons doesn't plan on working out for NBA teams leading up to the June 23 NBA draft.

"It's not a red flag," Sixers president of basketball operation Bryan Colangelo said. "Everybody deals with the draft process differently. Sometimes agents are involved. Sometimes families are involved in those decisions. Again, everything we get in respect to our intel that it relates to Ben, is he would very much like to be selected No. 1."

Source: Simmons likely to avoid working out for Sixers.

Simmons could work out for the Lakers, but that wouldn't stop the Sixers from taking him. They've been expected to take him since winning the lottery last month, and the reports have only solidified that. There will be some degree of discrepancy between now and the draft; it's not uncommon to hear talk before the draft about the team holding the top pick possibly considering taking the player everyone expects to go second instead. But the situation right now is that Philadelphia is going to take Simmons.

If he can't improve his stock, he can only hurt it, why work out? Why showcase a broken jumper or struggle in interviews? The only reason to work out is to engage the idea of competitiveness vs. other top prospects, but you risk money, significant money, based off one bad day at a workout.

So Simmons won't work out for teams, and has no reason to. Unless a cacophony of outlets report that the Sixers have changed their mind, expect Simmons to be drafted No. 1 next week and head to the red, white and blue.

there is a lot of Beasley there...

The bust factor is high with this one! So many red flags with Simmons already...

I thought his team was awful and the choice to go there was a head scratcher (he went there due to some personal ties). All that being said his motor and desire is a serious concern id say, especially when he has a glaring hole in his game (shooting).

Still, due to his combination of size, skill, and PG passing ability I don't blame teams for having him highly ranked.

Simmons lack of shooting would scare me if I were Philly. His lack of interest in the game at times would scare me more.

Some team will be creative with him. I feel he is more physical specimen than true hooper. I feel there is only 1 player who can handle the Rock and control the game with the dribble that is # 1 worthy Then I just can't see hield or Ingram not going 2-3. After like 7 it's beauty of the beholder literally you could go 8 or 25

BRIGGS wrote:Some team will be creative with him. I feel he is more physical specimen than true hooper. I feel there is only 1 player who can handle the Rock and control the game with the dribble that is # 1 worthy Then I just can't see hield or Ingram not going 2-3. After like 7 it's beauty of the beholder literally you could go 8 or 25

What would it take to get the Celtics to move that pick at 3? Part of me believes that they'd prefer Dragan Bender but can't see them wanting even more first round picks to compensate for the value difference.

NardDogNation wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Some team will be creative with him. I feel he is more physical specimen than true hooper. I feel there is only 1 player who can handle the Rock and control the game with the dribble that is # 1 worthy Then I just can't see hield or Ingram not going 2-3. After like 7 it's beauty of the beholder literally you could go 8 or 25

What would it take to get the Celtics to move that pick at 3? Part of me believes that they'd prefer Dragan Bender but can't see them wanting even more first round picks to compensate for the value difference.

0/100 Bender goes top 3 unless there is a trade and I still doubt it. Hes not a top 3 pick.

simmons couldn't even lead his team to the ncaa tournament. any #1 pick should be able to carry your team on your back to get into the tourney... especially in a weak SEC. definitely alot of red flags in my mind.

BRIGGS wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Some team will be creative with him. I feel he is more physical specimen than true hooper. I feel there is only 1 player who can handle the Rock and control the game with the dribble that is # 1 worthy Then I just can't see hield or Ingram not going 2-3. After like 7 it's beauty of the beholder literally you could go 8 or 25

What would it take to get the Celtics to move that pick at 3? Part of me believes that they'd prefer Dragan Bender but can't see them wanting even more first round picks to compensate for the value difference.

0/100 Bender goes top 3 unless there is a trade and I still doubt it. Hes not a top 3 pick.

He's not better than Heild, which is exactly why thr Celtics would require assets to move down to pick him up. My question is, what would a trade package look like for this to happen?

I think there is a photo of Simmons sitting with D. Russell at some event or game, with the inference that going to "L.A. would be his preference. In terms of his "brand," Lakerland would be the place to go, I suppose.

Lakers have some young players and if they really want Simmons, the Sixers squeeze them and could pick up the #2 pick and a young player, maybe Randle, for the right to the #1 (Simmons) pick.

Wonder what Luke Walton thinks of him?

WaltLongmire wrote:I think there is a photo of Simmons sitting with D. Russell at some event or game, with the inference that going to "L.A. would be his preference. In terms of his "brand," Lakerland would be the place to go, I suppose.

Lakers have some young players and if they really want Simmons, the Sixers squeeze them and could pick up the #2 pick and a young player, maybe Randle, for the right to the #1 (Simmons) pick.

Wonder what Luke Walton thinks of him?

If Philly wants Simmons that would be good for LA. Simmons on LA just gives them 1 more prima dona

cuz he's clearly the #1 draft pick. philly all but said theyre gonna draft him. the main goal of a workout is to interview someone (coach brown knows all about him since hes friends with the fam) and identify any medical issues (he has none). they know what he can do and not do on the court.

this is NOT a big deal. except by ben simmons haters. and i say this objectively know that hes a supertalent big man who CANT shoot! we shall see what happens

callmened wrote:cuz he's clearly the #1 draft pick. philly all but said theyre gonna draft him. the main goal of a workout is to interview someone (coach brown knows all about him since hes friends with the fam) and identify any medical issues (he has none). they know what he can do and not do on the court.

this is NOT a big deal. except by ben simmons haters. and i say this objectively know that hes a supertalent big man who CANT shoot! we shall see what happens

"Doubter" is a much more accurate word than "hater," and I don't think he is clearly the #1 pick in terms of quality, even if the Sixers have already decided on him.

Heard the hype, watched some full games so I would see everything, not just the selected moments, and I came away with a lot of doubts. Add to this LSU's failure to do anything in the post season, and how can you not have doubts about him as a player, leader, and person.

Maybe he shows up to SL with a retooled jumper, who knows, but I don't feel he is a sure thing.

What might make things more difficult for Philly, is that it seems Simmons doesn't want to play for them, otherwise you would not hear talk of him refusing to work out with the Sixers, but possibly working out with the Lakers.

Add to this his maturity issues, and you wonder how he will do in Philly, knowing that he was 1 slot away from going to the Lakers.

It's interesing how Tmac just called out Ben Simmons on Espn's The Jump. While KAT was also on there, Tmac credited him with walking into a hotel room where Tmac, Vince Carter, and Bill Russell were and introducing himself, to show how grounded and respectful KAT is. He said it was "unlike another guy who was there" and essentially said he walked in like he owned the place and didn't say anything. Something along those lines as he got interrupted. When asked who that was. he said "most say he will be the #1 pick this year." Very interesting. Calling out Ben Simmons for his lack of respect for his elder greats and lack of humility. Haven't seen someone exactly like that before. Not a good look for Simmons to get called out like that completely unsolicited by former NBA greats who don't know him personally.

Never watched him play, but is he similar to Boris Diaw?

Knixkik wrote:It's interesing how Tmac just called out Ben Simmons on Espn's The Jump. While KAT was also on there, Tmac credited him with walking into a hotel room where Tmac, Vince Carter, and Bill Russell were and introducing himself, to show how grounded and respectful KAT is. He said it was "unlike another guy who was there" and essentially said he walked in like he owned the place and didn't say anything. Something along those lines as he got interrupted. When asked who that was. he said "most say he will be the #1 pick this year." Very interesting. Calling out Ben Simmons for his lack of respect for his elder greats and lack of humility. Haven't seen someone exactly like that before. Not a good look for Simmons to get called out like that completely unsolicited by former NBA greats who don't know him personally.

Thanks for sharing this info. At least learn to shoot before you cop an attitude, lol. Kid sounds like a diva in training.

smackeddog wrote:Never watched him play, but is he similar to Boris Diaw?

I think Lamar odom. Unreal talent but red flags could prevent superstardom like odom.

smackeddog wrote:Never watched him play, but is he similar to Boris Diaw?

The way Simmons handles the ball, moves up and down the court, takes it to the rim, kind of reminds me of Grant Hill (without the shooting) Very fluid but he can flake out on a moments notice, become very passive.

GustavBahler wrote:

Knixkik wrote:It's interesing how Tmac just called out Ben Simmons on Espn's The Jump. While KAT was also on there, Tmac credited him with walking into a hotel room where Tmac, Vince Carter, and Bill Russell were and introducing himself, to show how grounded and respectful KAT is. He said it was "unlike another guy who was there" and essentially said he walked in like he owned the place and didn't say anything. Something along those lines as he got interrupted. When asked who that was. he said "most say he will be the #1 pick this year." Very interesting. Calling out Ben Simmons for his lack of respect for his elder greats and lack of humility. Haven't seen someone exactly like that before. Not a good look for Simmons to get called out like that completely unsolicited by former NBA greats who don't know him personally.

Thanks for sharing this info. At least learn to shoot before you cop an attitude, lol. Kid sounds like a diva in training.

Interesting story.

Towns seems like a gem, so far. Town's dad played in college and was a long time coach, and KAT seems very grounded. Have to figure his father had something to do with how he carries himself on and off the court.

Funny thing is that Simmons' dad was also a pro in Australia, and despite his shooting, Ben clearly has picked up some skills on the court...Seems to be lacking in attitude, though.

If Simmons really is a diva, you have to figure that he really wants to end up with the Lakers. Will be interesting to see how he responds if the Sixers take him.

WaltLongmire wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Knixkik wrote:It's interesing how Tmac just called out Ben Simmons on Espn's The Jump. While KAT was also on there, Tmac credited him with walking into a hotel room where Tmac, Vince Carter, and Bill Russell were and introducing himself, to show how grounded and respectful KAT is. He said it was "unlike another guy who was there" and essentially said he walked in like he owned the place and didn't say anything. Something along those lines as he got interrupted. When asked who that was. he said "most say he will be the #1 pick this year." Very interesting. Calling out Ben Simmons for his lack of respect for his elder greats and lack of humility. Haven't seen someone exactly like that before. Not a good look for Simmons to get called out like that completely unsolicited by former NBA greats who don't know him personally.

Thanks for sharing this info. At least learn to shoot before you cop an attitude, lol. Kid sounds like a diva in training.

Interesting story.

Towns seems like a gem, so far. Town's dad played in college and was a long time coach, and KAT seems very grounded. Have to figure his father had something to do with how he carries himself on and off the court.

Funny thing is that Simmons' dad was also a pro in Australia, and despite his shooting, Ben clearly has picked up some skills on the court...Seems to be lacking in attitude, though.

If Simmons really is a diva, you have to figure that he really wants to end up with the Lakers. Will be interesting to see how he responds if the Sixers take him.

Did not know that. Whatever team drafts Simmons is going to need a strong-willed coach.