2016 the beginning of the Ben Simmons Era

[tarheelsxxiii]

I actually think that Brandon Ingram may overtake Simmons as the consensus number one pick.
The kid is a twig but he's a hybrid SF/PF and draft express think he could eventually be an NBA SG.

He's got fantastic handles, 7'3 wingspan and an incredibly quick release with a beautiful stroke.
He's shown the ability to do pretty much anything on the offensive end. His defensive potential with that reach is huge too.
He's skinnier than Kristaps Porzingis but he's got wide/broad shoulders and a 9'3 standing reach.

I think he's going to be the biggest threat to Simmons going #1.
I also think because he looks like he's 16 that he's probably gonna keep growing more than his current 6'9".

Ingram is rail-thin, though. It may be unprecedented... no one has ever been so thin. That said, he did go for 15/5 his first game, 21/3/2/2/1 his second game. Granted, they played Sister Mary's School for the Unathletic, twice.

Skal went for 26/5/2/1 on near perfect shooting against NJ Tech Institute (known for its stout defense, sportsmanship, and Economics major).

Haven't gotten to watch either of them, yet. But they actually face off tomorrow night! Should be a good one.

Simmons has looked other-worldly (again, versus scrubs) -- technically sound, incredibly fluid for his size, and at times somewhat bored. Maybe that's to be expected when you've been scouted since early developmental milestones.

[nickagneta]

I'm trying not to buy into the kind of thinking in this thread because I remember watching a lot of Jabari and Wiggins highlights a couple years ago.

I have been on his site preaching caution when it comes to crowning these teenagers as basketball gods before they even play a college game for years. Invariably, they don't live up to the hype. always hoping to eventually seeing the next Lebron type phenom, but its just good sense to not get caught up in the high school highlights on youtube hype and just wait until these guys have gone through a college season first

[tarheelsxxiii]

I'm trying not to buy into the kind of thinking in this thread because I remember watching a lot of Jabari and Wiggins highlights a couple years ago.

That's probably the right approach to take. Maybe we should temper our enthusiasm a bit, at least for a little while... still a long road ahead, and lots of ping pong/Russian roulette to be played.

[slightly biased bias fan]

Ben Simmons: 43 points (15/20 FG, 13/15 FT), 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks.

Just unreal!

[mr. dee]

Don't be surprised if the league hand over the #1 pick to Lakers with Kobe retiring.

[slightly biased bias fan]

Don't be surprised if the league hand over the #1 pick to Lakers with Kobe retiring.

God I hope not, we deserve Simmons after Bias, Duncan, Durant

[tarheelsxxiii]

Don't be surprised if the league hand over the #1 pick to Lakers with Kobe retiring.

God I hope not, we deserve Simmons after Bias, Duncan, Durant

That's where I'd put my money. CLE lands #1 in 2011 (the year after LBJ leaves), 2013 + 2014 (the two year prior to his free agency), then he returns? Mildly coincidental.