2016 Draft: Top Prospects

[Walter White]

Am I alone in thinking Brandon Ingram will absolutely better than Simmons? I don't even think it will be close. Ingram is lighting up UVA - who have a damn good team - right now.

I haven't seen this game, but I was literally going to come in and say the same thing earlier today because I've been comparing Ingram and Simmons highlights.

Ingram looks like the reincarnate of KD. He doesn't have quite the hops or the handle, but I think KD improved in those areas mostly while he was in the NBA. I was comparing some KD college highlights too. Ingram has such a similar build and skillset. Except I think Ingram has more defensive potential and instincts compared to KD.

When I watch Simmons, he reminds me more of Blake Griffin with better ball skills and not quite the hops over someone like LeBron. LeBron was so much more skilled. I think it is far from a guarantee Simmons becomes a superstar. He is most NBA ready probably, but Ingram has way more potential. Simmons would have to become a lock down defender and develop a solid jumper to be a clear #1 imo. I'm not too familiar with his defense, but he has a long way to go on his jumper.

To sum up, I'd much rather bet on Ingram's skill over Simmons athleticism. Simmons is skilled passing and finishing inside, but like I said, he is closer to Blake Griffin than LeBron. Still all star potential, but I think Ingram has more superstar potential. Ingram could be a serious match up problem ala KD with his length, size, and shooting. Simmons can't really play SF without having a jumper. Skill over athleticism for me, but I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Also, there is a chance Hield could be better than either too. Only knock on him is his age, but he is very skilled as well. But his size is average for an SG and probably won't allow him to guard PG's or SF's well. Ingram at 6'9 is just a problem for teams to guard in the NBA.

 

[Jordan]

I haven't seen this game, but I was literally going to come in and say the same thing earlier today because I've been comparing Ingram and Simmons highlights.

Ingram looks like the reincarnate of KD. He doesn't have quite the hops or the handle, but I think KD improved in those areas mostly while he was in the NBA. I was comparing some KD college highlights too. Ingram has such a similar build and skillset. Except I think Ingram has more defensive potential and instincts compared to KD.

When I watch Simmons, he reminds me more of Blake Griffin with better ball skills and not quite the hops over someone like LeBron. LeBron was so much more skilled. I think it is far from a guarantee Simmons becomes a superstar. He is most NBA ready probably, but Ingram has way more potential. Simmons would have to become a lock down defender and develop a solid jumper to be a clear #1 imo. I'm not too familiar with his defense, but he has a long way to go on his jumper.

To sum up, I'd much rather bet on Ingram's skill over Simmons athleticism. Simmons is skilled passing and finishing inside, but like I said, he is closer to Blake Griffin than LeBron. Still all star potential, but I think Ingram has more superstar potential. Ingram could be a serious match up problem ala KD with his length, size, and shooting. Simmons can't really play SF without having a jumper. Skill over athleticism for me, but I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Also, there is a chance Hield could be better than either too. Only knock on him is his age, but he is very skilled as well. But his size is average for an SG and probably won't allow him to guard PG's or SF's well. Ingram at 6'9 is just a problem for teams to guard in the NBA.

100% agreed.
One thing I'd like to emphasize in your post is how good of a defensive prospect Ingram is. He guards every position on the court and does so at a very low weight. His defensive positioning and body length is just crazy. If he could add 10-15 lbs of muscle he would be scary defensively.

Simmons is an excellent passer, and I mean excellent. He also has great awareness, both offensively and defensively. I don't see any scoring potential though. He's not fast or strong enough to be a great isolation scorer. And his jump shot is mediocre. I think he'll be a good NBA player, but not a superstar.

One thing, though, is that while Ingram does not have Simmons' passing ability, the former does have great court awareness. He's one of those guys that I could see having a crazy high AST to Pass Ratio.

My biggest criticism of Ingram is that he is very slow to get up the court and, as a result, takes longer to get into offensive position. I don't know if he feels it is unnecessary, is too tired, or what. But it's something I'd investigate if I were an NBA team.

Hield has a lot of potential. He has a nearly flawless jump shot. He gets beat defensively quite a bit, though. But, if he goes to a good system, I could see him becoming a Klay Thompson-lite player. He really needs to work on defense and quick passing, though.

 

[Jordan]

I don't know if anyone just watched Duke-UNC, but some good prospects played tonight.

1) Brandon Ingram - I have been riding this guy all season. His body reminds me so much of KD. On top of that, he's a great shooter, can defend every position on the court (was guarding point guard and center at times tonight), and a smart passer. I highly recommend watching him play.

2) Brice Johnson - I don't think he's fast or strong enough for the NBA, yet. Ingram was handling his post-up decently in the second half. Although, he had his way with Marshall Plumlee. If he can figure out how to put on muscle while not losing too much speed I think he will be a nice NBA rotation piece.

3) Marshall Plumlee - Complete ass defensively tonight. He's usually better but not tonight He can score inside from the post. Not sure about his fit in today's NBA.

4) Grayson Allen - He's a very good scorer, decent passer, and terrible defender. He'll need to develop a strong defensive skill set to have large future in the NBA. He's a combo guard in the NBA, and he'll be able to get open shots, but won't be valuable if he continues his poor defense. I think he'll figure it out, though, and is a good future rotation piece.

5) Marcus Paige - I've never been as excited about him as others. Is slow and careless with the ball. Had a few bad turnovers/shots tonight.

 

[RedeemTeam]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn8OFA61udY

 

[Derek]

I don't know if anyone just watched Duke-UNC, but some good prospects played tonight.

1) Brandon Ingram - I have been riding this guy all season. His body reminds me so much of KD. On top of that, he's a great shooter, can defend every position on the court (was guarding point guard and center at times tonight), and a smart passer. I highly recommend watching him play.

2) Brice Johnson - I don't think he's fast or strong enough for the NBA, yet. Ingram was handling his post-up decently in the second half. Although, he had his way with Marshall Plumlee. If he can figure out how to put on muscle while not losing too much speed I think he will be a nice NBA rotation piece.

3) Marshall Plumlee - Complete ass defensively tonight. He's usually better but not tonight He can score inside from the post. Not sure about his fit in today's NBA.

4) Grayson Allen - He's a very good scorer, decent passer, and terrible defender. He'll need to develop a strong defensive skill set to have large future in the NBA. He's a combo guard in the NBA, and he'll be able to get open shots, but won't be valuable if he continues his poor defense. I think he'll figure it out, though, and is a good future rotation piece.

5) Marcus Paige - I've never been as excited about him as others. Is slow and careless with the ball. Had a few bad turnovers/shots tonight.

Shocking that there's only one surefire 1st round NBA prospect in a Duke/UNC game

 

[Jstock12]

Another countryman of mine, leading rebounder in NCAA and a Mozgov doppelganger Egidijus Mockevicius is averaging 16.6ppg (65.7% FG), 14.0rpg & 2.8bpg, but I doubt he'll get drafted, since he's already 23 and probably doesn't have much upside left.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrcPf559bis

 

[Simon]

Ouch.

Simmons’ box scores have grown increasingly hollow. One NBA executive described him as a “taller Rajon Rondo, a more athletic Evan Turner, or a skinnier Royce White.” Simmons has displayed a penchant for stat-mongering like few players in recent memory, seeming to pad his numbers in blowouts. At times, it appears he only passes when guaranteed an assist and chases home-run plays at inopportune times in search of a highlight. Simmons seems to value those things over winning.

Those who know him best say he needs things to revolve around him on and off the court and often been close-minded to coaching or instruction. Can all this be blamed on LSU? Check out the “mentality” section of Simmons’ “weaknesses” breakdown.

 

[Walter White]

Ouch.

A skinnier Royce White is quite the shot. I hope this isn't another Michael Beasley type situation. But it solidifies Ingram even more for me. I think it was silly people were even hyping up Simmons as the next LeBron because he looks nowhere near that level.

 

[Walter White]

We need to draft Denzel Valentine. If he falls in the 20's range, we should draft up to get him. The biggest knock is that he is 22 years old, but isn't that like how old Draymond was when he was drafted? Ironically not only being from Michigan State, he is a do-it-all type of player we could use and I think will end up being a steal. And our best bet if we get a pick is to draft a junior/senior type player that is more developed and can play meaningful minutes right away.

Or perhaps maybe Taurean Prince, Caris Levert, or Timothe Luwawu. With the mocks I've seen though, people's rankings are all over the place. They might be lottery in one mock, and late 1st in another so I don't know. But I would really love to add a SG/SF type that could either give us flexible lineups and be a spark off the bench, or even possibly start at SG in the future. With Shump struggling, I think we could use one of these types of guys.

 

[Jordan]

Cool chart tracing NBA talent in the tournament. I think it leaves off a few guys, but nonetheless, is a good resource.

 

[spydy13]

Cool chart tracing NBA talent in the tournament. I think it leaves off a few guys, but nonetheless, is a good resource.

Prince Ibeh for Texas blocked two shots in the couple mins I was watching his game. Looked up his stats and he doesn't seem like a good rebounder and can't shoot free throws, but a defensive kind of big like him would be nice to have off the bench.

 

[ajz20]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn8OFA61udY

I hate to do this but anyone else think to themselves a better younger version of Love in 2 years?

 

[ajz20]

We need to draft Denzel Valentine. If he falls in the 20's range, we should draft up to get him. The biggest knock is that he is 22 years old, but isn't that like how old Draymond was when he was drafted? Ironically not only being from Michigan State, he is a do-it-all type of player we could use and I think will end up being a steal. And our best bet if we get a pick is to draft a junior/senior type player that is more developed and can play meaningful minutes right away.

Or perhaps maybe Taurean Prince, Caris Levert, or Timothe Luwawu. With the mocks I've seen though, people's rankings are all over the place. They might be lottery in one mock, and late 1st in another so I don't know. But I would really love to add a SG/SF type that could either give us flexible lineups and be a spark off the bench, or even possibly start at SG in the future. With Shump struggling, I think we could use one of these types of guys.

I dont know we normally get the 35 year old that slips through the free agent cracks.. Adding someone young who does not look dead by March may shock the system.

 

[Derek]

Prince Ibeh for Texas blocked two shots in the couple mins I was watching his game. Looked up his stats and he doesn't seem like a good rebounder and can't shoot free throws, but a defensive kind of big like him would be nice to have off the bench.

Ibeh will be lucky if he gets drafted. Wouldn't mind giving him summer league invite though.

I hate to do this but anyone else think to themselves a better younger version of Love in 2 years?

I'm not sure why you would think "better".

I think they play the game similarly, except Love wasn't shooting outside until a couple years into the NBA. Something that Ellenson should consider since he is shooting his outside jumpers at a very low %.

I do like his skill set and potential, but he's not really as good of a prospect as Love was, and his college production hasn't matched Love's either.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Little Sabonis is so damn skilled, just like his pops.