Ben Simmons withdrew from all classes after LSU season ended

[nickagneta]

If this ridiculous system that forces talented players to go to school rather than being in the NBA didn't exist, this wouldn't even be being discussed. Are Kobe, KG, Lebron or Amir not able to show up on time for practices? Are they unable to read playbooks? Are they unable to understand video sessions and their importance? They never even went to college never mind went and then left.

If Simmons values an education he will have every opportunity to go back whenever he wants. Right now he is 19 and probably feels he is better off in the gym getting his body and skills at their elite maximum capability because he is going to be a professional basketball player. I actually applauds him for this. This will help his future endeavors. Staying in class and getting B's, C's, and D's in classes like Western Studies, English 101, and Art Appreciation isn't going to do him any good whatsoever in the future he is pursuing.

[Lucky17]

I feel sad for Simmons. He missed his chance to learn how to weave a basket underwater.

[nickagneta]

I feel sad for Simmons. He missed his chance to learn how to weave a basket underwater.

Awesome. TP. Lucky

[JohnBoy65]

Just as everyone else has said, who cares? At least he was smart enough to go to classes while in-season so there'd be no disqualification issues. The NCAA is a joke of an organization. Blame them, not Ben.

Also, blame the media. The media has been talking about him the entire year. Showing highlights, comparing him to other great players, etc. Why would he focus on classes when all he's heard is how good he can be in the NBA?

I don't really care, but he is a fool to not take advantage of the educational opportunity right in front of him.  I refuse to believe that going to classes will interfere with him preparing for the draft.  Kids these days....

I mean one year of college is not going to do anything for him if basketball doesn't work out. So this is really kind of a moot point.

No it isn't.  Its April so he must be really close to the end of the semester.  I say, finish it up and get the credits.  If he ever goes back to college, he will be glad he did.

The whole thing puts Simmons in a bad light.

No it doesn't. He was forced to do something. He obviously doesn't want to take classes, otherwise he'd finish out the year. He's a basketball player not a student.

[kozlodoev]

If Simmons values an education he will have every opportunity to go back whenever he wants.

That makes about as much sense as saying that if you value basketball, you can play whenever you want.

[chambers]

I really don't care. He can't get a degree there anyway because he's declared for the draft.
Why should he care about some meaningless classes? He's not going to finish the 3 more years left on his degree.
His degree is basketball. He did the school (and his dad's friend) a favor by playing at LSU.

He now wants to concentrate on basketball.

I've watched this kid grow up in Australia and seen just about every interview he's ever done.
His parents are awesome, down to earth people and Ben Simmons is an awesome kid.

You are building a narrative that goes along with your dislike for Simmons because you like Ingram more. You did the same thing with Rondo and it was very annoying.
You don't know anything about him, you just know you'd prefer Ingram so you're doing a hit job on him like you used to do to Rondo.

The guy is bigger than Lebron with better ball handling ability, a higher vertical jump and weighs 2 pounds more than Lebron did when he came into the league.
He's going to get a shoe deal worth $75 million before he steps on the court.

Don't read into too much, and watch more interviews with him- he really is a good kid.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Why not drop out at that point? The "one year in college" rule is a farce. These guys should have to stay in school and complete their education, or be allowed to go to the NBA straight out of high school. None of this halfway stuff that's really just for show.

But I know that the NCAA likes to have its cake and eat it too, banning the college athletes from financially benefiting while at the same time treating them like cash cows.

[crimson_stallion]

1 year still means something. Baby steps

And it was free. 

What is also bothersome to read is that he just didn't care enough to bring his A game against big schools. 

Laziness all around?? 

If we draft him and he turns into Beasley that will be a really sad result

Not a CBS type of player really

You keep using this in description of players. I think you don't have a clue as to what type of player Stevens likes or wants. My guess is if Stevens had a choice, his type of player would be superstars that make his job easier.

Little advice. Stop using this to describe players. It makes you look really.....I will be nice and say naive.

Do you know what type of players fit under CBS/type of players he prefers  or are you clueless??

Are there any "problem" child players on the team currently?

 Stevens has  also stated he prefers prospects that has spent 2 years in college

Brad Stevens likes guys who are tough, physical, have a high motor, and have an elite work ethic.  Thats why he likes Crowder, Bradley and  Smart.

Brad Stevens likes guys who have a high IQ and lots of skill.  Thats why he likes Sully and KO.

Brad likes glue guys who are well behaved, modest, and positive in the locker room.  That's why he likes Amir, Zeller and AB.

Brad likes guys who are aggressive and talented on offense, which is why hee likes Thomas and Turner.

Moral of the story?  Brad likes all kinds of different players, as long as they bring something special to the table and bring talents that add something valuable to his rotation...or offer something that can give him a competitive edge.

Brads best talent is that he is great at finding ways to identify a players best attributes, and make good use of them.  Give him a guy as talented as Simmoms amd he'll have a field day.

[jbp126]

If Simmons values an education he will have every opportunity to go back whenever he wants.

That makes about as much sense as saying that if you value basketball, you can play whenever you want.

Totally disagree. If you value basketball, you have a very limited window of opportunity to play as a professional. Whereas if you value education, then you are probably smart enough to realize this window, take advantage of it, earn as much as possible, and return to school at a later time when it can be more of a priority. After you conclude your career as a high profile professional athlete, you will have many opportunities to return to college, given slight normal cognitive decline that occurs after your twenties.

Also, c'mon people. Is it a knock on a player when the same can be said about 75% (people can come up with statistics to prove anything, 14% of all celticsblog commenters know that) of the league?

[BitterJim]

1 year still means something. Baby steps

And it was free. 

What is also bothersome to read is that he just didn't care enough to bring his A game against big schools. 

Laziness all around?? 

If we draft him and he turns into Beasley that will be a really sad result

Not a CBS type of player really

You keep using this in description of players. I think you don't have a clue as to what type of player Stevens likes or wants. My guess is if Stevens had a choice, his type of player would be superstars that make his job easier.

Little advice. Stop using this to describe players. It makes you look really.....I will be nice and say naive.

Do you know what type of players fit under CBS/type of players he prefers  or are you clueless??

Are there any "problem" child players on the team currently?

 Stevens has  also stated he prefers prospects that has spent 2 years in college

Do you remember Evan Turner in Indy?  He didn't exactly come here looking like a nice guy.

Or Smart in college?  He LITERALLY PUNCHED A FAN.

You can throw Sully into the mix, too

[Tr1boy]

1 year still means something. Baby steps

And it was free. 

What is also bothersome to read is that he just didn't care enough to bring his A game against big schools. 

Laziness all around?? 

If we draft him and he turns into Beasley that will be a really sad result

Not a CBS type of player really

You keep using this in description of players. I think you don't have a clue as to what type of player Stevens likes or wants. My guess is if Stevens had a choice, his type of player would be superstars that make his job easier.

Little advice. Stop using this to describe players. It makes you look really.....I will be nice and say naive.

Do you know what type of players fit under CBS/type of players he prefers  or are you clueless??

Are there any "problem" child players on the team currently?

 Stevens has  also stated he prefers prospects that has spent 2 years in college

Do you remember Evan Turner in Indy?  He didn't exactly come here looking like a nice guy.

Or Smart in college?  He LITERALLY PUNCHED A FAN.

You can throw Sully into the mix, too

He prefers well behaved , guys with high motor , IQ, toughness, not lazy etc.

We don't know if Simmons will eventually build on all these things.  If he finished the last month nobody here would say, are you dumb Simmons for doing that? 

Basketball season is over anyways. Ppl here are making excuses for him bc he is an exceptional talent. I get that. But he now has to field endless questions about academic issues , why he didn't just finish that last month (after academic issues , being benched, didn't you learn your lesson?  You think you are so talented you can "get away" with it?)

If academics doesn't matter why does the media care, why are players interviewed about it? Why does it matter , if you can play ball

Bc behind the scenes it does matter.  You can use this to try to understand a player/person's character etc

If you have a ft job and a good one but also say get a PT job at McDonald's (for whatever reason). But do a poor job, come to work late etc. What can this mean?

I'm just saying be smart about the circumstances your in and be "safe".

 

[kozlodoev]

If Simmons values an education he will have every opportunity to go back whenever he wants.

That makes about as much sense as saying that if you value basketball, you can play whenever you want.

Totally disagree. If you value basketball, you have a very limited window of opportunity to play as a professional. Whereas if you value education, then you are probably smart enough to realize this window, take advantage of it, earn as much as possible, and return to school at a later time when it can be more of a priority. After you conclude your career as a high profile professional athlete, you will have many opportunities to return to college, given slight normal cognitive decline that occurs after your twenties.

Yup, still doesn't make sense.

Also, c'mon people. Is it a knock on a player when the same can be said about 75% (people can come up with statistics to prove anything, 14% of all celticsblog commenters know that) of the league?

Yes, there is a good reason that Statistics is a mandatory course in most colleges. Of course, if you left that part for later, you'll probably believe every "proof" that was thrown your way.

[blackbird]

I agree if anything it proves he is a smart guy who knows and can say no to the stupid rules

Exactly this.

[passesofftodj]

I agree if anything it proves he is a smart guy who knows and can say no to the stupid rules

TP.  This shows that he and his parents are actually intelligent individuals.  So he misses a few weeks of obedience and regurgitation training?  This would help him how again (besides reinforcing the ideals of the trained masses)?

Only the brainwashed could have a problem with this instead of having a problem with an utterly broken system, exampled by the absolute farce of a for profit corporate "education" system.

Anyone who doesn't take Ben Simmons with the top pick will regret it.

[KingChre]

He prefers well behaved , guys with high motor , IQ, toughness, not lazy etc.

We don't know if Simmons will eventually build on all these things.  If he finished the last month nobody here would say, are you dumb Simmons for doing that? 

Basketball season is over anyways. Ppl here are making excuses for him bc he is an exceptional talent. I get that. But he now has to field endless questions about academic issues , why he didn't just finish that last month (after academic issues , being benched, didn't you learn your lesson?  You think you are so talented you can "get away" with it?)

If academics doesn't matter why does the media care, why are players interviewed about it? Why does it matter , if you can play ball

Bc behind the scenes it does matter.  You can use this to try to understand a player/person's character etc

If you have a ft job and a good one but also say get a PT job at McDonald's (for whatever reason). But do a poor job, come to work late etc. What can this mean?

I'm just saying be smart about the circumstances your in and be "safe".

Here's the thing though, they don't. No one is discussing this, and no one will be discussing this after he gets drafted. You keep saying these things as if they are true but they aren't.

Here's an experiment for you...try googling his name. I just did (for fun). There is not one article on the first 5 pages of Google results that pertains to the "endless questions about academics" you speak of.

This isn't a controversy.