I hope Simmons doesn't fall in our lap

[Ogaju]

He has the physical talent to be a star, but I do have concerns that he will turn out to be a better Jeff Green, minus the perimeter shooting, and with less fire in his belly.

Is it possible for a basketball pro in the NBA to have less fire in the belly than Jeff Green?

[Bobshot]

The thing about Simmons, Ingram and the rest, it's really how the media views these guys.
It isn't necessarily how the GMs view them. I don't know if there will be any surprises with the first two picks, but I think there will be surprises with the rest of the top 10 picks. Ainge is keeping his cards close. I would not be surprised if he traded the pick for an established player. He may feel the Celtics are beyond the stage of picking projects. After all, don't they have enough of those right now?

[PickNRoll]

He has the physical talent to be a star, but I do have concerns that he will turn out to be a better Jeff Green, minus the perimeter shooting, and with less fire in his belly.

Is it possible for a basketball pro in the NBA to have less fire in the belly than Jeff Green?

Larry Sanders?

[LooseCannon]

He has the physical talent to be a star, but I do have concerns that he will turn out to be a better Jeff Green, minus the perimeter shooting, and with less fire in his belly.

Is it possible for a basketball pro in the NBA to have less fire in the belly than Jeff Green?

Harden on defense?

[ahonui06]

He has the physical talent to be a star, but I do have concerns that he will turn out to be a better Jeff Green, minus the perimeter shooting, and with less fire in his belly.

Is it possible for a basketball pro in the NBA to have less fire in the belly than Jeff Green?

Harden on defense?

Lillard on defense?

[safecracker]

He has the physical talent to be a star, but I do have concerns that he will turn out to be a better Jeff Green, minus the perimeter shooting, and with less fire in his belly.

I have similar concerns. I don't like the red flags around his attitude/effort/work ethics. The players that become great are generally obsessed with becoming great. I really don't see that with Simmons. While too good to be a bust in three years, he may very well be one of the biggest disappointments out of this draft.

[RedClaw33]

I take Simmons in a second.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yeah......and I hope I don't win the Lottery this week.......I mean I hate money ...

[Ogaju]

Yeah......and I hope I don't win the Lottery this week.......I mean I hate money ...

I think OP gave up he already posted he would be thrilled to get Simmons on the Celtics.

[Fred Roberts]

This thread is ridiculous.  If his shooting tops out at LeBron and his other skills develop as they should he basically IS LeBron. 

You don't want that player?  His floor is Lamar Odom with a likely better mind/body and his ceiling is a mellower LeBron who may be an even better facilitator. 

This guy absolutely dominated with terrible coaching and injured teammates against older players last year.  Lots of guys don't win their first year at a higher level, so people are making far too big a deal of LSU's failings.

He by far has the highest ceiling of anybody in this draft.  Drafting Ingram or Bender ahead of this guy would be regrettable.

Enough said . . . LeBron and Russell Westbrook level shooting?!!!! I'll take it! Kidding me?

[BigDogPitbull]

That would be terrible!  An instant upgrade at power forward or a chance to trade for a Jimmy Butler or Paul George.

[Roy H.]

I understand preferring Ingram over Simmons.  But Bender, a guy with even more question marks?  I don't get that.

[Androslav]

I agree that there is an upper limit to how good a shooter Simmons can be.  BUT, I don't think it matters.  I see him more in the mold of Lamar Odom or Scottie Pippen.  He doesn't need to be a sharpshooter.  He won't be there at 3.

1. Philadelphia will take him because they desperately need a playmaker and he is prototypical point forward. He will have ball handling and decision making responsibilities. He won't need to be an amazing shooter as long as he keeps teams honest by attacking the hoop and scoring.

2. And of course he won't be there at 3 lol.

I remember Doug Collins quoting Dr.J, when Doc was asked why he didn't develop a great jumpshot?
- I didn't have to. He said.
There is a lot of a truth in that, he was that good back in a day.
Still, in 3pt shooting era, to say that Simmons' shooting won't matter is kinda silly to me.
I think I gave some good points on why it isn't out of the realm of possibility that he ends up being 3rd best player in the draft after couple of years.
He has more weaknessis than I and others mentioned above;
- He has no post skills at all. no jumphook, no fadeaway, no footwork in the paint.
- His defensive stance (unseen to this day) and rim protection (relying solely on athleticism against inferior competition) are on a rook Blake Griffin level. Althogh he is fairly less athletic than Blake.

That said, it is trickier to construct a team with him than it is to incorporate Ingram or Bender in todays NBA contending team IMO.
From Philies perspective, I would take Ingram, as I really need scoring and especialy shooting.
They drafted and waited Saric for 2 years. He is a point forward, basicaly a lesser version of Simmons with more heart.
And if I am L.A. it is hard to pass on Simmons and try to recreate showtime.
However, historicaly they always have the best big men. A possible 2nd comming of Pau sholdn't be ruled out automaticaly. Similarly to Philies situation, L.A. also has a promising young ballhandling 4-man in the form of Julius Randle. They also have two young guards, thirsty to get the ball after Kobes last season, last season when he was jacking it up on sight. It would hinder their growth and eventualy their value. Media pressure and shaky Jim Buss chair would be too much for him not to take Simmons though.

That said, I would say there is about 5% chance that he lands here.
I would be thrilled if that happened.
Other team was tanking the whole season for us and gave us Simmons - whoopy!

One more thing to put the things in the perspective,
Who will be better in 2019, Giannis or Ben?

You just went from hoping that 'Simmons does not fall in our lap' to ' you would be thrilled if that happens' 

What's up?

I believe you understand me well enough.
I hope Simmons doesn't fall in our lap - is saying, I think there are 2 better prospects in the draft, I would rather get those. I wasn't diminishing his market value (we probably could get a bigger piece for him, than for Ingram or Bender), I was evaluating him as a player.

[RockinRyA]

Simmons is worse than Bender?

Oh, my God.

Another arrogant comment. OP didn't say that. What he is saying is Bender might be a better player in the future, and Bender (and Ingram) are easier to fit in with what teams have. psshh "Oh, my God".. typical

[Celtics4ever]

I believe you understand me well enough.
I hope Simmons doesn't fall in our lap - is saying, I think there are 2 better prospects in the draft, I would rather get those. I wasn't diminishing his market value (we probably could get a bigger piece for him, than for Ingram or Bender), I was evaluating him as a player.

It's pretty funny that you think Bender is better than Simmons, does it feel lonely thinking that because not many share that opinion.

You can bet Ainge would be elated if Simmons fell to us.  It would open all kinds of trades because Simmons has more value on the market.   Once, we got the third pick and people were projecting it was Bender, all this talk of trading for Noel/Okafor.   Simmons/Ingram could get you DMC or someone of greater value.

Simmons put up great numbers dogging it last year.   If he can put up those kind of numbers without caring, then think if he cared.   I agree, there are some questions marks.   But not as many with Bender.  Bender also has some huge warning signs, lack of production, poor vertical yet his supporters have an excuse/rationalization for every one of them.

I get he is your homeboy, Androslav.  I respect that, but the whole two better prospects thing undermines your credibilty.    Take BPA is what I hope, we do, even if that is Bender.