Ben Simmons showed Lebron-esque skills in this year's summer league, but I believe his demeanor will get in the way of his greatness and Brandon Ingram will out shine him when its is said and done.
Why Ingram>Simmons?
1. Fluidity
There is something about Ben Simmons game that just seems to take away the strengths of his other teammates. When he is the primary ball handler, one of two things is going to happen. Either he will take it to the rack or he will take it to the rack and dish the ball off in some sort of flashy fashion. Don't get me wrong, in many instances, those plays are extremely effective. I just don't think he can pull off the same style of play in the NBA. He did show flashes in the Summer League, but thats basically the NCAA. When you look at the great offenses in the NBA--Warriors, Cavs, Spurs--it's all about ball movement and fluidity. When Simmons is not fully on his game and he is the primary ball handler, the way in which he plays just seems to detierorate the play of his team throughout the gane. Look at his time last year with LSU, because he wasn't confident in his jump shot, he would get into the lane and take awkward shots or condense the floor in a way that eliminated the options for his teammates to cut to the rack for a pass or drive to the hoop. The native Australian needs shooters around him in order to succeed, but all Philly has are front court players that work in the painted area just like he does. It will be interesting to see what the Sixers do with all of their assets. I can't imagine Embiid, Okafor, Saric and Noel all still being on the team after next season. The front office has to build up a back court for Simmons in order for him to succeed. Looking at their roster right now, I cannot imagine seeing a fluid offense with the lack of floor stretchers.
When it comes to Ingram, his game is all about fluidity. Just watch these highlights of Ingram and how he just glides to the hoop.
When he gets the ball in his hands, he is able to get to the rack with his pace and length. When you watch him move with the basketball, it just looks as if the ball is destime to go in.And its not just about how smooth he is with the ball in his hands, its more about how he works within an offense. Because he is so comfortable scoring from any spot on the floor, he is able to space out defenses and move without the basketball which allows his teammates to get involved. Nothing is forced about his game. He just lets the game come to him. On top of that, Ingram's 7'3" wingspan allows him to finish at a bevy of different angles at the hoop. He is also able to dish the ball with the best of them.Because defenders respect both his jumper and his inside game, he does not . Overall, I just see more upside in Ingram as he fills out his frame and is able to transition his smooth play to the NBA. I understand the NBA is much different in terms of the contact you receive going through the paint, I just feel Brandon Ingram will adjust accordingly, and find ways to maneuver his way through the trees. If he maximizes his potential, he could be smaller version of Kevin Durant.
2. Jump Shots
There is a big disparity here. Ben Simmons showed last year that his game can become predictable when he isn't hitting his jumper. Simmon's developed physique and exceptional inside game allowed him to overcome some of his shooting slumps last season and still put the up the stats that he did. If he does not improve his jumper, he will not have the same success in the NBA as he did in the NCAA, its that simple. NBA players are ten times as athletic as those in either the NCAA and Summer League and are gonna be able to get a body on him before he can make his move into the paint. I'm sure he will still have success with his inside game. As a freshmen, he did score 19 with a 56% field goal percentage. Its more about how is three point range will develop. In the modern NBA, its all about spacing and allowing your teammates move freely without the ball. I will change my sentiment on him if he comes out and shoots over 40% from deep his rookie season. That will show me two things. One, that he now has the respect of defenders to mark him behind the arc and two, that he puts the work in to get better and it pays off.
Brandon Ingram has a lot parts of his game he really needs to develop (his D and strength), but shooting the basket is not one of them. He looks like a savy veteran when it comes to putting the ball in the hoop. He uses jab steps and pump fakes to get open and then transitions those moves so purely into his long-armed shot. His release could be quicker, but it works for him because of his 7'3" wingspan. Because of his length, he is able to shoot over defenders without changing his stroke. During his time at Duke, Ingram was 41% from beyond the arc and 46% from inside of it. And when his jump shot gets going, watch out. He's a microwave like J.R. Check this video of him against Virginia where he puts up eighteen straigh points.
3. Mentality
When you play 82 games in a season, you need a grind it out mentality to make it through the ups and the downs. Ben Simmons will take plays off on defense from time to time when he isn't performing well on the offensive end or his teammates aren't hitting shots. He'll give up plays similar to a James Harden. I understand Simmons was in a bad situation at LSU and an even worse coach, but he did not make the most of it whatsoever. They should have made the NCAA tournement last year. When times got tough on Simmons, he didn't step up like all the greats do. Maybe that's because he was looking towards the NBA and his initial contract. But true leaders strive to encourage and thrive in adversity. The SEC Simmons will swipe at the ball, rather than move his feet. He 'll not contest a wide open jumper from the top of the key. He won't box out for a defensive rebound. It's the little things that the great ones do the best. I understand that Simmons is more skilled than Ingram in many ways, but skill accounts for about 25% of it all. I think atleast 50% of basketball is mental, probably more. I am just not sure if Simmons teammates will respect him for taking plays off. And I know the Philly fans will let him know if he is not giving every single play his all...
Although Ingram looks blazed 24/7, you know there is competitor inside of him. He shows his emotion in spurts, but you can always tell he is putting it all on the line for his team.Brandon Ingram took a fairly depleted Duke roster to the Sweet Sixteen, where they lost to Oregon. You could tell he put his all in to every minute he was on the court, even when they were down. Thats the difference between Simmons and Ingram. Ingram has a 'bend don't break mentality while Simmons is just 'bend then break'. I know Kobe Bryant, one of the hardest working players ever, will have a couple of words for him in his rookie year in order for him to develop as a competitor and an overall player. With Ingram and Russell in the Lakers back court, I see so much upside in how those two can be used in order to put up points. Both of those players are huge competitors and I believe they can push each other to be better every day.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ben Simmons ends up producing more than Ingram during his NBA career. I just see Ingram's floor being much higher than a player with a broken jump shot and an egotistical personality .
Lastly, just look at the resemblence in Ingram and Durant's games...
P.S. Fuck Duke