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LSU’s Ben Simmons Is The Next NBA Superstar

By Carter Johnson

Nov 16, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) against the Kennesaw State Owls during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) against the Kennesaw State Owls during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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I know what you’re thinking: not another one of these articles.

We as sports fans all cringe a little bit whenever we see these comparisons being drawn, whether warranted or not, between amateur phenoms and NBA megastars. We’ve seen some live up to the gargantuan expectations given to them (LeBron James, Anthony Davis) and some have floundered under the pressure (think O.J. Mayo and Darko Milicic). More often than not, we find the kids being compared to some of our basketball idols end up not living up to the hype.

As a basketball fan, I understand that hesitance to crown a kid the next one. However: LSU’s Ben Simmons is that next one.

Mar 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All American athlete Ben Simmons (25) poses for pictures during portrait day at the Westin Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Simmons is the crown jewel of this year’s freshman class, one that does not lack talent but is significantly less hyped than the last two, which boasted super freshmen like Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor. All of these players have been heralded as some of the best freshmen and players in the country during their NCAA stints and as the next generation of superstars in the NBA. They all possess talent and skill far superior to their rookie and sophomore peers.

That being said, I believe Ben Simmons has the potential to be better than all of them.

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At face value, Simmons may look very similar to the other freshman phenoms that have come along in recent years. Standing 6’10 and weighing 240 pounds with outstanding athleticism, he fits the mold of the prototypical hybrid forward. However, what sets Simmons apart is something that very few in his position have displayed during their one-and-done stints: extreme talent as a dominant all-around player.

Simmons had scouts in awe looking at his high school tapes not only because he could jump out of the gym, finish with finesse and power at the rim and sink a silky jumper with consistency. What impressed them just as much — if not more so — is his ability to read the floor and drop eye-popping, jaw-dropping dimes to teammates. Not often is a comparison to King James warranted, but it’s hard not to make one when watching plays like this one:

Or this one from his high school days:

Not every day do you see passes like these from a 19-year-old forward.

But don’t be fooled: Simmons’ fantastic scoring prowess is the main reason he’s atop this freshman class. In his senior year of high school, Simmons was averaging 28.0 points per game, which is not a big deal for a phenom. His field goal percentage through those 29 games? An astronomical 70.7 percent. All this while averaging 11.9 boards a game and recording 24 double-doubles along the way.

Simmons seems bent on doing the same thing on the collegiate level against better competition. Although he had a less impressive showing in his debut by his standards (a still respectable 11 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks), Simmons came alive offensively in game two and showed everyone why the hype machine around him is so great, albeit against a mid-major opponent in Kennesaw State.

In this game, where Simmons finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals,  we see the fullness of his talents and why his ceiling is so high. He drives the lane effortlessly and can either finish with a layup off of a dazzling spin move, raise up for a thunderous slam or kick it out for a stellar assist. He’s got a knack for picking pockets on the defensive end and is a handful in transition. Though he serves best in the point forward role, he can also play in smaller lineups as a stretch four and has shown an adept ability to operate in the pick and roll and also in the post.

And this is why he will be the best. Wiggins was a spectacular athlete. Parker had phenomenal scoring prowess. Towns was a superb defender and Okafor was light years ahead of the competition with his post offense.

Simmons possesses all of the above.

Of course, time will tell as he continues to develop and play against stiffer competition if he can stay consistent in his stellar all-around play. Based on what we’re seeing now, it’s a safe bet that not much will change between now and June in terms of Simmons’ clear number one overall pick status and his status as the future megastar of the NBA.