I hope Simmons doesn't fall in our lap

[Androslav]

I know it sounds outrageous and there is only a small possibility that he would end up in Boston, but apparently I don't value him as high as others.
Maybe I'm blind, but I don't see his ceiling reaching a superstar tier.
I have Simmons 3rd on my big board, behind Ingram and Bender, and here is why.
He has one glaring weakness and some other issues
- His shooting is extremely poor; inconsistent, technically flawed, every shot is different from the last one and he has no confidence in it. Ingram and Bender are outside threats.
- Even with time, I don't think it will improve to a passable level due to his ambidexterity. Those type players never seem to solve their jump shot, it is a great skill to have for dribbling and passing but does not bode well for shooting the bball. Some examples include; LBJ, Westbrook, Deandre Jordan, Tristian Thompson basically the worst shooters in the league.
Ingram and Bender know which hand is for shooting.
- Last few years he has been feasting on small players whose bodies aren't nearly developed as his. Ingram and Bender need a lot more work on their bodies, but the frames are there.
- His length is ok, but nothing out of the ordinary or remotely close to Ingram and Bender.
- It looks to me like everything is going smoothly for him, the Rolls Royce superstar status, the no 1. pick shoe in. Possible spoiled child alert.
- Body language and defensive effort are suspect, unlike Ingram and Bender.

I know Simmons is very young, already a weapon in the open court and his dribbling and passing are beautiful to watch, but I don't see the best player on a contender status for him in the future.

Am I crazy? or
Has the media hype brainwashed everyone?

[Mattybriand]

To answer your question, your crazy.

[dannyboy35]

I DO think he could top out st Lamar odom level career. But could also seen him being a perennial star. I've been torn.

[jambr380]

Don't worry, he won't, but it would be absolutely amazing if he did. Even if Danny doesn't like him, there are 29 other GMs willing to give up a lot more for Simmons than for Bender.

[dreamgreen]

I agree with a lot of what your saying, I personally prefer Ingram for our team but I wouldn't be upset if landed Simmons.

[saltlover]

You're absolutely crazy, as would two GM's be for passing on him.  He has the highest ceiling in this class by far, and he's ready to be an NBA contributor on Day 1.  There's no way he will be available, but if he is, we will look back on this draft day with reverence.

[Surferdad]

The shooting seems like a fixable problem.  It's been done many times.

I don't buy the argument that his ambidexterity is the issue.

[CoachBo]

Don't worry, he won't, but it would be absolutely amazing if he did. Even if Danny doesn't like him, there are 29 other GMs willing to give up a lot more for Simmons than for Bender.

Not to mention scouts, informed fans, et al.

[Csfan1984]

I remember people said Blake Griffin couldn't shoot all he was was a dunker. Now a lot of people consider him a top 10 player. Simmons is good at a lot of things and with work he can improve his shooting along with every good skill. He should be a franchise player in a few years.

[Androslav]

You're absolutely crazy, as would two GM's be for passing on him.  He has the highest ceiling in this class by far, and he's ready to be an NBA contributor on Day 1.  There's no way he will be available, but if he is, we will look back on this draft day with reverence.

I don't think that both GMs will pass a chance on him and I completely agree that he is more ready to contribute from the get-go than Ingram or Bender.
I'm writing more in a sense of 3-5 years from now.

The shooting seems like a fixable problem.  It's been done many times.

I don't buy the argument that his ambidexterity is the issue.

It has been done many times, it has also been a failure many times.

Ambidexterity (using both hands with equal facility) is by definition saying that the person doesn't have the main/favored hand. There have been some players, even shooters with amazing off hand (Bird, Kobe, Nash), but it turns out they had the main hand at an elite level first and then they developed off hand with time. I have written some vice versa examples and they are not encouraging. Thats my theory. Saying it will get better is wishful thinking. Not entirely impossible, but questionable at the least.

I won't cry if we do get him, don't get me wrong. He is a great asset to have. I just think that his ceiling is below superstar level player that everybody is saying he is with a lot of certainty.

[Evantime34]

I am worried about his shot, Chad Ford posted a video of him shooting yesterday and his form is still questionable.

That being said, I am praying he slips to 3. As a big I think he can score enough to start his career by utilizing the pick and roll. His ability to score both as a pick and roll ball handler and as a roll man should provide him with enough scoring while his jump shot improves. Even if he won't be proficient out to 3, he should be able to become a solid mid range shooter because of his good touch.

Even if his shooting isn't great his elite ability to get to the rim off the dribble makes him worthy of a top 3 pick. The fact that he can rebound well would make him an immediate fit on the C's.

[chambers]

You're absolutely crazy, as would two GM's be for passing on him.  He has the highest ceiling in this class by far, and he's ready to be an NBA contributor on Day 1.  There's no way he will be available, but if he is, we will look back on this draft day with reverence.

Perfectly said.

[ahonui06]

He won't

[Jon]

Gotta love Celtics Blog. I don't know what I love more, this or posts from people saying they no longer wanted Durant after the OKC collapse.

[alldaboston]

Gotta love Celtics Blog. I don't know what I love more, this or posts from people saying they no longer wanted Durant after the OKC collapse.

Those were gold