I'll consider Simmons transcendent when he can do what he does, shoot over 30% from three on a few threes per game and can hit free throws over 75%. He ain't anywhere near that so I don't see him as a transcendent talent.
For 9 years, Magic Johnson barely shot a 3 pointer (though he did hit his foul shots). Heck Michael Jordan ended his career shooting 32.7% from 3. Then you have all the big guys who don't shoot well from anywhere. I mean Tim Duncan's rookie year he averaged 21.1/11.9/2.7 without hitting a 3 pointer and shooting 66.2% from the line. He was 6'11", 250 pounds. Why shouldn't Simmons be held more to that standard given he is 6'10", 230 (or whatever he is now)? 16/8/8 from anyone, let alone a rookie, is an incredible stat line.
Different time...different game. I am not saying Simmons won't be a great player, but until he can shoot an outside shot and not be a complete liability to his team at the line, he's not transcendental. I don't see that as being a very controversial statement given how the game is played and how he plays. If Giannis(similar game) could only make 50% of his fts and was completely useless from outside, he wouldn't be anywhere near a 1st team All NBA.
you'd rather have Simmons shoot 28% on 1 5 shots a game from 3 rather then him shoot inside or oass the ball?
That seems like an odd criticism. Maybe he should be Westbrook and bomb away at 31%. Knowing your limitations and playing to your strengths is not a weakness. And if you dont like the Duncan comparison how about KG. Better FT shooter of course, but very similar build to Simmons and not an outside shooter at all.
Transcendental stars who are basically ball handlers and drivers of the ball, in today's game of spread offenses and the importance of outside shooting, can not be a detriment to their team at the FT line or outside of 16 feet.
This isn't the 1980s through early 2000s. Completely different game.
I don't consider Russell Westbrook transcendental. Same for Harden. Paul.
Lebron, Durant, Curry, Davis...yes. Possibly in the future, Embiid and Giannis.
Thats all I see in the NBA right now.
Simmons could be more transcendent than Embiid in my book.
Interesting. I can't really see this being the case unless Embiid is hit with injuries throughout his career. He's already the second best center in the league, and still has areas he can definitely improve (conditioning, IQ on the offensive end [i.e. attacking the post more, not settling for outside jumpshots], and knowing when to pass).
On the other hand, Simmons is probably a top 8 PG in the league (Westbrook, Curry, Irving, Paul, Harden, Lillard and Wall are all ahead of him imo), and his flaws are more significant - mainly his inability to score almost at all from the mid-range and perimeter.
It'll be interesting, but I can't see Simmons ever really being a legit MVP candidate guy - Embiid I can