So will Ingram. Either way our future is set. D'Angelo, Julius, Ingram or Simmons, Clarkson, and Nance. Oh man. I don't know that we're above Minnesota, but we certainly close that gap.
Yeah. We're going to get another great young piece either way. I think believing we would lose the pick all year has made me even happier we kept it.
Handling and dishing and finishing like Simmons can, assuming Philly takes Ingram ..... if he can begin to shoot the ball reasonably well could he possibly play SF and destroy more puny SFs? They can't play him too tight or even more than Julius (it seems to look like right now) he can blow by them and finish. All summer long baby all summer long .... shoot the rock.
FWIW, Simmons was a 67% FT shooter in college. Not great, but not Deandre Jordan or Dwight Howard territory either. I believe he can be a better shooter from the FT line and 3pt range if he puts the work in.
Man this worked out so great. Either way, Simmons or Ingram will bring a promising young piece to our squad at a cost controlled salary. And if the pick under some wild scenario isn't one of those 2, that means our FO see's a superstar in someone else.
Alright. We know the dude can shoot. As in - shoot in game. There should be no doubt he will be a good shooter in the NBA. I am worried about the injuries...
I honestly wouldn't be surprised a bit if Ingram goes one and Simmons falls to us at 2. For better or worse. No matter how it goes I'll be cool with either one of them.
What injuries? I was wondering about that with these 2 guys if either of them had a history. Or just that he is so thin right now ... you worry?
His tattoos are definitely Matt Barnes ugly and looked senseless for us not in the know on what they symbolize. I prefer Simmons but can't wait for Ingram to nail those threes for us lol. He fits us more than Simmons will since we already have Randle and Nance.
Chinanu Onuaku - 32nd pick? Another poster on LG mentioned. Anybody watch him play? Chinanu Onuaku, Sophomore, PF/C, Louisville 10 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 0 turnovers, 5-7 2P, 0-0 3P, 0-0 FT, 21 minutes The recipient of a lengthy writeup after a strong showing in the first day of competitive action, Chinanu Onuaku had another solid outing in the second and last day of the NBA Combine as well, doing many of the same things we previously reported. He was a solid presence on defense, beyond the three steals and three blocks he accumulated, protecting the paint nicely while making the right rotations and doing a nice job of communicating with his teammates. He also was able to score by drawing deep post position and backing down weaker defenders, while hitting a short range jumper out of the post and catching a lob in transition. His perimeter defense was again somewhat of a mixed bag, as he is often late to step out on closeouts, and will bit on pump fakes at times. He's clearly more of a center than a power forward at 6'9 barefoot, even if his 7'3 wingspan and 245 pound frame helps. Onuaku has a tough decision ahead of himself now, as he clearly helped himself over the week in Chicago, but probably is still very much on the bubble as far as his first round prospects go. If he's content being a second round pick (possibly an early one) then he should be able to find a spot for himself in the NBA next year, but at only 19 years old, there's a chance he could continue to improve his standing with a better junior season at Louisville. He has all the makings of a future NBA rotation big man regardless, especially if he can find a way to keep his intensity level high at all times.
I need to stop reading all these good things about Ingram. I really want us to get him bad. I have real concerns about Simmons fit on this team, competitiveness, and shot. Too many times I watched Simmons at LSU in close games down the stretch not want the ball in his hands or pass up shots to other teammates when the shot clock was winding down. If we didn't have Randle I could live with Simmons. We'll just have to see, but I think I'm going to need your guys help warming up to Simmons.
I understand how you feel because I prefer Ingram, but the way I see it I don't think Ben would have to be an alpha male here because of the fact that we saw that from D'Angelo last year and Julius to a degree as well. Obviously a question if the latter and Ben can play together. The kid is a truly gifted passer. To have two players like that who have such a high basketball IQ along with D'Lo is gonna be a huge advantage. We basically would have the lite version of Golden State's two stars in Curry and Draymond. Obviously they have a long way to go, but in terms of ability and skill set D'Angelo and Ben are remarkable in that facet. Just think about all the breaks with those three and you can't forget high flyers like Clarkson and Nance Jr.
Fast breaks are fun and exciting for fans, but I worry more about when the going gets tough what kind of players I can depend on and rely to keep their attitude/mindset together. We've been spoiled by Kobe's greatness, poise, and desire. This I know, but as great as his passing and athleticism is, the game isn't always going to be a fast break show.
No it's not, but young teams typically struggle in the front court. At least at first. This is gonna take a while for them to be a well oiled machine as far as half court execution. Simmons has a lot to work on, but he has a unique skill set. He has an ability to find his teammates. To thread the needle. To make plays. He puts us at a huge athletic advantage and he has the potential to be a great defender. The jump shot is the first thing that needs to be acquired, but that will come with time and repitition.
I mean this is from highschool... but man this kid would be fun to watch. Some of those passes and dunks...shoot (especially off the backboard, Kobe-esqe)
