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

By Andrew C. Lovell

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Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Star potential

And the No. 1 reason the 76ers should select Simmons No. 1 overall in the June 23 NBA draft? He has the ability to become a star, and the NBA is a star-driven league.

The history of No. 1 overall picks in the NBA is quite decorated. Seventeen No. 1 picks are now enshrined in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with more (James, Tim Duncan) to follow.

Since many No. 1 picks have had distinguished careers, it paints below-average top picks in an even more unforgiving light. Players like Anthony Bennett (2013), Greg Oden (2007), Kwame Brown (2001) and even the infamous Michael Olowokandi (1998) are derided in NBA circles.

Simmons wouldn’t be the first player to appear to be too talented to fail. Many will point to his academic issues, which made him ineligible for the Wooden Award. Others will point to the perception that Simmons was too passive and doesn’t have the “killer instinct” of a Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant.

Players are scrutinized more closely than ever these days. Maybe those are real concerns, maybe they aren’t. This much is clear — Simmons has the potential to become a major star in the NBA. The 76ers simply can’t ignore that.

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