Simmons has serious Flaws in his game

[hpantazo]

I'd say his only real "flaw" is his shooting. I don't consider inexperience to be a flaw since that will resolve itself.

His shooting is considerably less of a problem than his inability to make 60% of his free throws.

I guess I consider his free throw percentage to be part of his shooting since, you know, he has to shoot them.

Yeah, except the two skills aren't really all that related.

This gave me a good laugh.  Shooting is not related to shooting? LOL.

Yes, making a free throw is only tangentially related to making a jump shot in game situations. Shocker, I know.

Something tells me that he will improve at both at the same time.

Rondo didn't. And neither did Jason Kidd. Plenty of big men never develop reliable mid- and long-range shooting yet manage to not be embarrassingly bad with their free throws. These are two completely different situations with completely different concentration/rhythm patterns.

I agree with Koz on this. Simmons just does not have the look of someone who will improve their shooting. Giannis does. Giannis has a nice free throw stroke and will eventually develop a good outside shot. Simmons on the other hand looks worse than Rondo and will likely never be a decent shooter. Some things you just cant teach, someone has it or they don't. If it was just a matter or practice and teaching, then Smart would be Stephen Curry level already and you would have a league full of guys who can shoot like Reggie Miller/Ray Allen.

[Fafnir]

Overall FT% is usually correlated with overall shooting ability.

Its one of the reasons I once had hope Marcus would become an okay shooter. It seems to have worked out pretty well for Terry though! (still needs to learn how to finish at the rim though)

[pearljammer10]

Its amazing how he never even looks at the basket to shoot. Our defense would sag on him, he pull the dribble out and not even pump fake, look or square to the hoop, nothing. He just dribbles outside that 15 foot space.

[Tr1boy]

He is just like Giannis.   Without a jump shot will never be elite

[GreenEnvy]

At least Giannis would take jumpers and sometimes make them.

Simmons doesn’t even look at the rim outside of 8 feet.

[Tr1boy]

At least Giannis would take jumpers and sometimes make them.

Simmons doesn’t even look at the rim outside of 8 feet.

and only relies driving to the left in crucial situations

[tonydelk]

At least Giannis would take jumpers and sometimes make them.

Simmons doesn’t even look at the rim outside of 8 feet.

and only relies driving to the left in crucial situations

The crazy part is Simmons doesn't have to right now.  He's putting up those stats without having a jump shot.  Driving every time has hurt his turnovers but he's just a beast as is.  I'd rather have Giannis and would rather have Giannis over everyone not named Durant, Harden or AD.

[kozlodoev]

I'd say his only real "flaw" is his shooting. I don't consider inexperience to be a flaw since that will resolve itself.

His shooting is considerably less of a problem than his inability to make 60% of his free throws.

I guess I consider his free throw percentage to be part of his shooting since, you know, he has to shoot them.

Yeah, except the two skills aren't really all that related.

This gave me a good laugh.  Shooting is not related to shooting? LOL.

Yes, making a free throw is only tangentially related to making a jump shot in game situations. Shocker, I know.

Something tells me that he will improve at both at the same time.

Rondo didn't. And neither did Jason Kidd. Plenty of big men never develop reliable mid- and long-range shooting yet manage to not be embarrassingly bad with their free throws. These are two completely different situations with completely different concentration/rhythm patterns.

I agree with Koz on this. Simmons just does not have the look of someone who will improve their shooting. Giannis does. Giannis has a nice free throw stroke and will eventually develop a good outside shot. Simmons on the other hand looks worse than Rondo and will likely never be a decent shooter. Some things you just cant teach, someone has it or they don't. If it was just a matter or practice and teaching, then Smart would be Stephen Curry level already and you would have a league full of guys who can shoot like Reggie Miller/Ray Allen.

I'm not even necessarily saying he won't (he might). Just wanted to point out that (distance) shooting and free throws are not necessarily the same thing, and being at least able to keep the defenses honest (~65%) so that fouling him isn't an automatic win is a lot more critical than developing a three-point shot.

This being said, his free throws did look horrible. The hand is on the side, the elbow is flailing... *shiver*

[rondofan1255]

Giannis shooting looks decent at least. Simmons shooting is almost taller Rondo-like despite the hype.

[Phantom255x]

GAME 1 SIMMONS SHOT CHART:



So basically... just keep him out of the paint. 

Yes, Simmons is just in his first year and could still find a jump shot, but for now, like Giannis, that lack of a true jump shot is going to be a flaw for him (and a big liability when defenses tighten up on him).

[playdream]

Also His dribble ain't as good as i thought, not good enough for an all time pg, means ball-pressure will work
why not send Rozier or Larkin to pressure him when he take the ball up

[Neurotic Guy]

Many of you break down games and players a lot better than I can.  He just looks phenomenal to me.  21 years old, big and amazingly talented with the ball.  Sees the court and plays incredibly smoothly for a youngster.   With his size and skills I think he is well on his way to being a top 10 player.  If he were a Celtic I am pretty sure most here would be salivating over his potential.  He'll make the all-star team without much question next year.

[Tr1boy]

Also His dribble ain't as good as i thought, not good enough for an all time pg, means ball-pressure will work
why not send Rozier or Larkin to pressure him when he take the ball up

He is good in the open floor or without much pressure

but in a half court setting and decent defenders up in his face, he is a poor ball handler

Tatum is better in the halfcourt

[CelticsElite]

Many of you break down games and players a lot better than I can.  He just looks phenomenal to me.  21 years old, big and amazingly talented with the ball.  Sees the court and plays incredibly smoothly for a youngster.   With his size and skills I think he is well on his way to being a top 10 player.  If he were a Celtic I am pretty sure most here would be salivating over his potential.  He'll make the all-star team without much question next year.

he didn’t make a single 3 pointer all year. How many point guards.... have ever done that?

[BitterJim]

Many of you break down games and players a lot better than I can.  He just looks phenomenal to me.  21 years old, big and amazingly talented with the ball.  Sees the court and plays incredibly smoothly for a youngster.   With his size and skills I think he is well on his way to being a top 10 player.  If he were a Celtic I am pretty sure most here would be salivating over his potential.  He'll make the all-star team without much question next year.

he didn’t make a single 3 pointer all year. How many point guards.... have ever done that?

I was gonna say "Rondo in '08", but he actually hit 5 that year. Not hitting any is pretty crazy

That said, every rookie player has flaws. The important thing is to either fix that hole/those holes in your game (Jaylen is definitely going this route), or develop your game in other ways so that you can be great anyway (like Rondo and his lack of shooting).  Simmons has plenty of time