Fansided

NBA Draft 2016: 5 reasons 76ers should draft Ben Simmons with top pick

By Andrew C. Lovell

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Jan 30, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) defends against a shot by Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) defends against a shot by Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Skill-set

Simmons is ultra-talented — there’s no denying that. At 6-foot-10, with a nearly 7-foot wingspan, Simmons boasts elite versatility.

LSU failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament in his only season in Baton Rouge, but it was hardly Simmons’ fault.

He led the Tigers in scoring (19.2 ppg), rebounding (11.8 rpg), assists (4.8 apg), steals (2.0 spg), blocks (0.8 bpg), field-goal percentage (56 percent) and minutes (34.9). His free-throw shooting (67 percent) and three-point shooting (33.3 percent) are not elite, but those areas that can be improved.

Simmons is at his best when operating as a point forward for his team. He has the ability to create his own shot and score in any number of ways, but he’s also an above-average ball handler and passer. And there’s no doubting his explosiveness and natural rebounding ability, which should translate well to the professional game.

Perhaps Simmons’ best NBA comparison is another long point forward — Milwaukee Bucks standout Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite standing nearly 7-feet, Antetokounmpo took over as the Bucks’ point guard late in the season, a role he’s expected to assume full-time in 2016-17.

The versatile Antetokounmpo has played all five positions in his three years in the NBA. That’s a blueprint the similarly-built Simmons can follow.

Next: No. 3: Upside

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