Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, the top two picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, faced off for the first time as professionals on Saturday night in the NBA Summer League.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers faced off on Saturday night in the most anticipated matchup of the NBA’s Summer League.
The matchup gave fans a look at the first two overall picks in the 2016 NBA Draft, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. Summer League is hard to quantify due to most rosters being made up predominantly of players who will not be on an NBA roster this season.
That’s part of why the game between two teams with young, promising cores was so anticipated. Viewers got a chance to see the top two picks play with and against actual NBA players, including D’Angelo Russell, last year’s No. 2 overall pick.
The Summer League rosters for both teams were littered with players who have NBA experience and rookies who will get playing time this upcoming season.
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While all eyes began on Simmons and Ingram, it was Russell who stole the show. But before we get to that, let’s take a look at the rookies.
Let’s just say that both players, especially Ingram, probably hope that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
Simmons had a mixed outing, going for eight points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, two blocks and seven turnovers on 3-for-8 shooting. The No. 1 overall pick started the game with a play that would normally land him on Shaqtin’ A Fool.
Ladies and gentlemen, Summer League basketball! https://t.co/rDwrVGjHYW
— Cameron (@ThatManCam) July 10, 2016
The missed layup resembled much of the first half, in which neither team shot better than 25 percent from the field while combining for 21 turnovers in a fast-paced mess of basketball.
However, Simmons showcased his dazzling passing ability throughout the game, something he’s done consistently in Summer League play.
That Ben Simmons pass tho...very dope #Sixers #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/AkpDjmHC9w
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) July 10, 2016
Simmons clearly has a gift for passing that doesn’t come around often and rarely does it come in a 6-foot-10, 240 pound frame.
Simmons struggled to score, often attempting wild shots near the rim and allowing defenders to sag off of him and daring him to shoot. It’s something that he can get away with in Summer League, making plays like the one below.
Check out the court vision from @BenSimmons25! @Sixers v @Lakers on ESPN2 now! #NBASummer https://t.co/HMcqkpMc8b
— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2016
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But it’s something that won’t be successful against NBA teams with NBA coaching.
For now, let’s just marvel at his elite passing skills. If he’s still unable to knock down wide-open midrange jumpers in a couple years, then we should start worrying about how successful he can be.
On the other side of Simmons, Brandon Ingram had a game to forget. Ingram finished the night with seven points, four rebounds, and three turnovers on 3-of-12 shooting from the field.
Ingram drifted throughout the game and failed to ever get into a rhythm.
Instead, two of Ingram’s teammates stole the show.
The first to do so was Larry Nance Jr. Nance turned the game around with a few dunks that brought the largely Lakers crowd to their feet.
Larry Nance Jr. down the lane for the smash. https://t.co/ETdd4R5n4v
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 10, 2016
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Nance evoked both “Lar-ree” chants, a la
Larry Bird, from the fans, and eventually “M-V-P” chants. There was substance in addition to his style, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, seven steals, and four blocks.
Fellow second-year player D’Angelo Russell struggled for much of the game before taking over the game at the end, displaying his trademark “ice in my veins” celebration twice in the final minute.
First, a long two-pointer that erased what was once a 16-point deficit. Sixers guard T.J. McConnell took the subsequent inbounds coast-to-coast for a layup as the Lakers were getting back on defense that gave the Sixers a two-point advantage with 1.8 seconds left.
The Lakers called a timeout, setting up a chance for Russell to make one more clutch play.
Due to their draft position and the debate between who should’ve been taken with the first pick, Simmons and Ingram will be compared in matchups for years to come.
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Let it be shown that just weeks after the draft, Simmons outplayed Ingram while Ingram was the one celebrating in the end.