Simmons is the consensus choice of rival teams, No 1 in the latest NBA.com mock draft, some support remains for Ingram to be the first name off the board next Thursday, and the only vote that matters has not been cast.
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Simmons worked out for the 76ers early Tuesday and posted an Instagram photo with the caption “Trust the process”. This is particularly important because Simmons drew some criticism for how he handled his year in Baton Rouge – there have been concerns about his effort and attitude, especially after The Vertical’s Jonathan Givony argued that he shouldn’t be the No. 1 overall pick. Sometimes agents are involved. He’ll need to get stronger and improve his defense.
Simmons. He has too many on-court positives (ball-handling, ability to initiate the offense, versatility) to bypass in favor of Ingram. Brett Pollakoff (@BrettEP) covers the National Basketball Association for Fox Sports and was part of the inaugural “Outsiders” team previous year.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers really control what happens initially. Moreover, that would also seemingly leave the Lakers with Brandon Ingram as their top option at the No. 2 pick.
Colangelo said young players are leaving the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine with a positive impression about the Sixers’ future.
Here’s what will keep people watching for a couple more hours after Simmons is drafted and already finished with TV interviews: Quarterman could be a potential second-round steal for somebody and that somebody could be one of the teams that has wanted to work him out.
Simmons may be days away from being the actual No 1 pick. These rumors will make the draft very entertaining.
[Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images] A good example of this would be the Philadelphia 76ers themselves. Another significant piece, Nerlens Noel (taken 6th by the New Orleans Hornets in 2013), was added soon after the draft via trade.
On top of that, Simmons had continued to decline the 76ers’ invitation to work out for them.
One week from tonight, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will step to the microphone at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn to announce the first pick in the annual NBA draft.
He averaged 19.2 Points, 11.8 Rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
But in all fairness, the 6-foot-10, 260-pound former LSU post player only attempted 3 three-pointers (hitting one) this past season.
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Simmons has been projected as the number one pick leading up to the draft. But the film also will include his childhood in Australia, high school in America and the influence of his family, especially father David Simmons, a New York City native who played 13 professional seasons in the Australian National Basketball League. What do you think about Simmons’ pre-draft tactics?
