• March 19, 2024

Ben Simmons Isn’t A Philly Guy

BenSimmons25I don’t think Ben Simmons is the player the Sixers should draft with the to pick.  He comes across as being cool and unemotional.  There’s no doubt that the young man is very talented, but he will have problems here in Philly with that cool attitude.  His coolness will be no problem in Los Angeles or other parts of the country, but it doesn’t play well here in Philly, especially if that athletes is struggling.

Regardless of who drafts Simmons and wherever he plays, he’s going to have some growing pains and go through some struggles. Dispassionate athletes who struggle in Philly will always be criticized.

Philly likes guys who are passionate, aggressive and don’t mind letting you know it.

Simmons is not outwardly passionate.  He has the standoffish type of demeanor like Sam Bradford.

I agree with Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Smallwood who pointed a finger at the silence we hear from Simmons and his camp.   Despite there being reports of Simmons wanting to play only in Los Angeles for the Lakers, he and his camp haven’t uttered a word publicly to dispute those stories, while Ingram is letting it be known that he will eagerly play for whatever team drafts him.

“Unlike Simmons, Ingram showed up at the NBA draft combine two weeks ago and did an interview with the Sixers. He’s said, “Any organization that can take me, that’s where I want to be.”

I see some of Sam Bradford in Simmons.  He’s not an overly emotional guy.  He’s somewhat remote.  There have been rumors and stories about Simmons that haven’t been flattering.  There have been questions about his “work ethic”.

LSU beat writer Glenn Gilbeau who writes for USA Today told CSNPhilly.com that he doesn’t think Simmons is worthy of being the number one pick in the draft.

“To me, he’s more of a specialist player and a complementary player than someone who can really take over a team,” Guilbeau said. “He’s not a strong, inside player like a brute. A physical player. And he also does not shoot from the outside, which is amazing, but he’s a great passer and a great scorer.”

“I don’t think he should be the first pick,” Guilbeau said. “I can see him being a high first-round pick. It depends on the team he’s going to. Do they have enough of the other parts of the team where he can be a facilitator and a complementary player?

“He would have to go to a team where he can flourish as a complementary player, a team that has a very good center.”

“I think you could develop him to be as good as he could be, but not be that type of star,” Guilbeau said. “It’s kind of strange to me. Before he ever played he was supposed to be the greatest player, and I just never saw it. I covered great players here like Shaquille O’Neal and Chris Jackson, and he just didn’t change a team like those guys did.”

Ingram on the other hand is a young man, who came out of high school as a good player, but he’s made monumental jumps and is now a great prospect.  He’s a worker who brings more passion to the table than Simmons.

Both of these guys are very talented, but the factor which could separate them is their drive, their “work ethic”.

Who knows Simmons may work as hard as Ingram, but right now we know that Ingram has made the biggest strides of the two since he has been a college player.    I don’t know if Simmons has that fire to get better.

Simmons’ personality doesn’t fit the city of Philadelphia and that’s going to get him off to a very bad start if the Sixers draft him.  In much the same way that Bradford doesn’t fit Philly, Simmons doesn’t fit the city because he’s not a passionate type of player.

GCOBB

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gmcliff
gmcliff
May 28, 2016 5:30 pm

He will be when he’s drafted….that LA STUFF IS NONSENSE!!!

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 28, 2016 5:32 pm

BULL!!!

paulman
paulman
May 28, 2016 7:20 pm

Simmons is a Good Prospect, but I don’t see him as a Franchise Changer tour of Player… I don’t see that burning desire in his Game or Personality to be an elite NBA Player.. I just don’t, he’s young and will maybe develop into a leader and game changer but for some to compare him to a Young Magic Johnson is beyond the pale and simply wishful thinking as these are the same people have been on Simmons Nuts for 2 years and now have no choice but to go all-in on the kid… He played average from February on with his LSU Tigers NCAA Tourney chances hanging in the balance and did not put his team on his back as truly great Players do.. Basically he plays Soft and not his size.. He’s a Guard wanna-be trapped inside a PF Body. I wish him well but would not build me Team around him.. I want Winners & Leaders and he displayed neither in his 1 Year of NCAA Level Competition… .

gmcliff
gmcliff
May 29, 2016 12:00 am
Reply to  paulman

bull…..

paulman
paulman
May 28, 2016 7:23 pm

As far as not being a Philly type of guy, who else besides Coach Brown is a
“Philly Type” of Guy?? Okafor? Embiid? Colangelo’s?? The Owners?

JimChunk
JimChunk
May 29, 2016 6:07 am

Bull.
The city was not negative on Bradford until he pooped out and cried because Wentz came in. Prior to that, we were fine with him. He was even just showing average talent, and we were fine with Bradford. Now, if Simmons does similar things like this baby has done, yes there will be problems. But the comparison, at this point, is quite a reach. Show elite talent and provide wins, and we’ll be quite tolerant.

zilents44
zilents44
May 29, 2016 11:22 am

Ben will be fine let the talent speak for himself

mhenski
mhenski
May 29, 2016 4:02 pm

Whoever is questioning Ben Simmons work ethic is either dumb , blind or just a fool who makes something up for page views. He’s what 19? Chiseled like a rock and clearly works out and on his game 7 days a week. The dude was giving unibrow and harden all they could handle 1 on 1 at the Nike hoops summit last year.

Just saw his jumper on Instagram and he actually has a nice stroke & a quick release. Unless the lakers are giving u there #2 pick, taking restrictions of the 1 pick they owe us and giving us Russell Simmons is an absolute no brainier and even if they gave you all that I’m still not sure I would say yes.

Who is questioning his work ethic?

koolbreeze
koolbreeze
May 29, 2016 7:10 pm

C’mon G…Damm…the kid is 19 years old..who cares about the rah-rah stuff…the kid can play…he has the talent, the athletic ability…

Draft Simmons and build around the kid…you have a connection here with the Coach who knows the kid’s family has access to inside info about the kid…

We have put up with years of garbage from the Sixers…its time to get some talent here and some guys who can play…grab Simmons and lets put it together..

mhenski
mhenski
May 29, 2016 7:44 pm
Reply to  koolbreeze

Man I suddenly don’t want Simmons

GreenBleedin
GreenBleedin
July 6, 2016 8:21 am

I watched Simmons for the first time in Utah and I couldn’t disagree more with you G. I like this kid. I remember the first time I watched Evan Turner in the summer league and immediately knew he would never live up to his draft position. Not so with Simmons. I think he can be special.
Also, the “rumors and innuendo” about his demeanor, work effort, etc. seem to be just that. Innuendo. I’m excited about the Sixers again. It’s about time.

haveacigar
haveacigar
July 6, 2016 8:47 am

I just don’t buy the ‘philly guy’ line at all–
take a look at this list of NOT philly guys: rollins, mcnabb, schmidt, howard, in some ways doc J,

mhenski
mhenski
July 6, 2016 8:55 am

Lmfao at Simmons not being a philly guy. What a hack article. Earth to Gary if he stuffs the box score and wins he’s a philly guy.

What a troll article

mhenski
mhenski
July 6, 2016 9:00 am

And you can’t question Simmons work ethic. Kid is chisseled like a statue. Built like a 28 year old Terrell Owens and posts his workouts on Instagram like every day.

Lazy and irresponsible article

haveacigar
haveacigar
July 6, 2016 9:19 am

If you remember there was a smear campaign (and i fell for it to) about Simmons– his college coach said it was 100% politics, jealousy and back biting- some by coaches who were pissed that he didn’t choose their school– or whatever–
1. i’ve been impressed with his handling of the media
2. his body as was mentioned is very mature
3. i think he will shoot a little better than those biased scouting reports showed
4. his passing and involving other players is off the charts– court vision etc.

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
July 6, 2016 4:13 pm

Gcobb is channeling his inner paulman let’s just dump on the Sixers organization just for the hell of it. We don’t care if were wrong about anything the we hate the Philadelphia 76ers campaign must be spread at all cost. Ben Simmons isn’t a Philly guy that’s funny coming from a guy that looks like Cameo.

mhenski
mhenski
July 6, 2016 4:25 pm
Reply to  Mac Dolo

who is cameo?

haveacigar
haveacigar
July 7, 2016 3:55 pm

Basketball junkies, question for you. In what little I’ve seen of Simmons, highlights, a few minutes of ROOKIE summer…. Why is it everyone talks about the sixers needing a PG? From my eyes, he is going to be or can be an ELITE PG, not even a Point F…., dude has some MAGIC in him….. Shit too much hyperbole? But damn the guy sees the court

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 7, 2016 4:12 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

they don’t need a ball dominating pg right now cuz Ben can run the show. However if a Westbrook is possible in a trade, you can’t turn that down

mhenski
mhenski
July 7, 2016 4:31 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Brett Brown said he gonna be the point guard eventually…

in other news. GMCLIFF PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE dont make 1 more post about Butler this year

daggolden
daggolden
July 8, 2016 6:05 am

Not sure what to think of Simmons right now. Its very rare to see a 6 10 guy who is magical at ball handling and doesn’t shoot. The worst thing to do is to get a pg in here. Simmons may be useless playing off the ball right now. He is a straight up point guard at this point of his career. He is the closest thing to magic that I have ever seen. Hopefully he develops his shot like magic did throughout his career. But if he thinks 8 points 12 assists and 6 rebounds a night will be ok he is going to get criticized.

haveacigar
haveacigar
July 8, 2016 7:57 am

Secon S league game…. To me that stat line will translate into a triple double average by the time he’s 23….

mhenski
mhenski
July 8, 2016 9:06 am
Reply to  haveacigar

Man Simmons can get anywhere on the court he wants. Sick vision, speed , quickness and ball handling. Don’t know why he scared to shoot or when he in the paint put it in the net rather than kick out. He a point good for sure. What I don’t like is he plays defense like harden just no effort

mhenski
mhenski
July 8, 2016 9:08 am

In other news wtf going on in our country. It’s like cops and citizens all playing grand theft auto out here. Just killing people with no warning for fun. Shits gross

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
July 8, 2016 10:19 pm

Yeah dude it is really crazy.

I am just going to stick to sports. Don’t look now, but JP Crawford is hitting .410 over the past 10 games.

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 9, 2016 9:35 am

I know it’s summer league but Dunn look dam good last night.

mhenski
mhenski
July 9, 2016 11:49 am
Reply to  pdiddy

Buddy looked like poop

Mac Dolo
Mac Dolo
July 9, 2016 7:57 pm

All the Dario Saric rumors are now put to rest he’s coming over to play for Philly this year.

paulman
paulman
July 9, 2016 10:29 pm

Watching this Lakers/76ers Summer League Game and and pretty sloppy performance in the 2nd Half .. Simmons looks very timid in this 4th Quarter.. He’s hardly involved in the Offense and does not seem to block out well Defensively down in the Block as Lakers Auguste has had his way with him a few times
Back to back games for most of these young Players will show the inconsistencies and a lack of playing together where players are just not on the same page
Lakers Ingrams struggled until the 4th Quarter.. The most Active Player I have seen on the Floor in the 2nd Half has been Lakers Larry Nance Jr

paulman
paulman
July 10, 2016 10:43 pm

Only caught the final minute of Tonight’s Loss to the Chicago Bulls
Simmons had a nice Shooting Game with 18 Points on 7-9 Shooting with 3 Rebounds and 2 Assists… Stauskus had 14 Points
I was thinking Simmons would get a few more Rebounds with his 6-9″/6-10″ Size but he plays quite a ways from the Basket and will be interesting to see once Camp/Pre-Seasong & Regular Season Starts and how he does going against experienced Defenders who will cut out angles, play off of him giving him the outside shot and try to keep him moving to his right..
He does Run & See’s the Floor nicely and a Natural Ballhandler ..

rootdown
rootdown
July 11, 2016 11:45 am

$$$$ Breaking Philadelphia 76ers news $$$$

The Philadelphia 76ers have traded Nerlens Noels for Dante Exum, Alec Burks and a future first round pick.

haveacigar
haveacigar
July 11, 2016 1:53 pm
Reply to  rootdown

nice try

mhenski
mhenski
July 13, 2016 7:49 am
Reply to  haveacigar

With it being said embiid won’t play back to back games I’m starting to think a big won’t get moved. On back to back nights we’d have only 1 center if we move one. I could see a deadline deal but not before

paulman
paulman
July 13, 2016 8:07 am
Reply to  mhenski

No Bigs are being moved until the 76ers and Everyone Else learn if Embiid can even Play in the NBA… Chances are, this takes this entire 2016-2017 Season to play out and see if Embiid can be an every Game NBA Player for they will start off real slow and easy with him with a minutes count and no back to back Games over the first half of the Season.. The Guy is a compete unknown with 0 Games Played inthe NBA and will be a 2 Year Work in Progress
76ers Roster for this Season is what it is… Next Year’s Draft they will target some Guards and continue to grow a from there ..

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
July 13, 2016 9:38 am
Reply to  paulman

That would be the smart move Paul. I think that they will see who can play and then move 1-2 of these guys in the off season. If they really think that Simmons can play PG, which I am warming up to, then you would have:
PG Simmons
SG: ?
SF: ?
PF: Saric/Noel
C: Embiid/Okafor

This team is far from being complete and I think that they would like it to be that Embiid can play and they they would move Noel and Okafor to get shooters or get into position to get shooters at 2 and 3.

daggolden
daggolden
July 14, 2016 6:54 am

Anyone see pics of Okafor the 20 year old? My goodness he has lost wait to. No more flab.I cant imagine Okafor 4 years into the league at 23 years old.lol. I have no problem letting him develop and going with Saric, Simons and Okafor as our big 3 if Embid doesn’t work out. Even if Embid does work out you better not trade Okafor for peanuts. Noel whose contract is up after this year definetly has to go. Its a lot easier to find big athetic players who rebound but cant score than talented players like Okafor.

mhenski
mhenski
July 14, 2016 9:30 am
Reply to  daggolden

i could see embiid playing the 4. i know he is huge and has a centers body, but i think his mid range game is nice, he has terrific footwork too… he may get that unibrow roll…

mhenski
mhenski
July 14, 2016 9:47 am
Reply to  mhenski

man just watched embiids kansas highlights and im dying to see this man play in the nba. total freak

simmons saric embiid oak… im excited to see hendo, bayless and the other new pieces too

first time in my life im more excited for the sixers to start balling then the birds

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
July 14, 2016 9:23 am

Dario Saric News!!!****

Sixers and Dario Saric have agreed to terms on a contract according to source

6’10 ball handling play making forward. We now have two of them, Simmons and Saric. We have some exciting times coming ladies and gentlemen

If you wasn’t a loyal devoted diehard Sixers fan when we sucked, DONT TRY AND HOP ON THE WAGON NOW!!! STICK TO THE EAGLES, FLYERS AND PHILLIES!!!

SHOWYALUV TRUE SIXERS FANS!!!

WETRUSTEDTHEPROCESS!!!

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 14, 2016 4:18 pm
Reply to  Jon Hart

Preach JH

Biglion821
Biglion821
July 15, 2016 10:58 pm
Reply to  Jon Hart

FOH with that shit Jon, trust what damn process? Who decides who can and cannot be a fan? People just kill me with that shit. I said wake me up when that tanking shit is done. Well it’s time to wake up.

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
July 19, 2016 7:34 pm
Reply to  Biglion821

But you weren’t with us shooting in the gym though bruh..

A true fan of the team sticks by them through and through, not just when the team has amassed talent galore and the lossing is over

You know how it works

But I wasn’t directing it at you per se… it was a general statement..

If you took offense, nothing I can do about that but continue to tell the truth..

Biglion821
Biglion821
July 24, 2016 12:20 am
Reply to  Jon Hart

JH, I don’t care who it was directed at, I’m calling bullshit on that true fan shit. You know who true fans are? The ones who brought season tickets to that shitshow the last 2 years. So if your not one those I guess you belong in the non true fan section as well. If you were then my apologies my friend.l

haveacigar
haveacigar
July 16, 2016 8:11 am
Reply to  Jon Hart

“If you WASN’T a loyal…”. Nice grammar

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
July 19, 2016 7:37 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Spoken from a guy that bashed the team from the beginning

Definitely not a true fan

And oh look, he’s now the grammar police

What a joke..

The Sixers could win the championship and this clown would be on Gcobb.com bashing them on how they won

Get a clue and while you’re at it, a life too

Deuces ✌

haveacigar
haveacigar
July 19, 2016 8:20 pm
Reply to  Jon Hart

Something tells me that’s not the way you learned to speak…you are somehow trying to gain some weird cred in the hoops world by slipping in Ebonics…which unfortunately for you shows an incredible lack of class and respect..
As for true fan, I want the teams I follow to make an effort to win…I’ve been consistent

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 19, 2016 10:19 pm
Reply to  Jon Hart

I feel JH on what he is saying tho. I remember a few years back trying to get some Sixers talk on here. I was told by one of the posters on here, who will remain name less for now. For me and JH to go start our own site If we want to talk Sixers, because nobody wants to talk about them on here. Now I see this particular person posting everyday about the Sixers all of a sudden. That to me is bandwagon shit.

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 19, 2016 10:22 pm
Reply to  pdiddy

Now I will admit I started to grow a little tired of the process, but I always stayed in tune with the team. I always went to my 10-12 games every year, same with the Phillies. As well as watch them on television even tho they sucked. That’s what true fans do.

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 19, 2016 10:26 pm
Reply to  pdiddy

Now having said all of that, you really can’t tell people how to root I guess. Everybody has their own way of following the teams.

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
July 20, 2016 9:22 am
Reply to  pdiddy

I tire pretty quickly of people judging fandown and declaring that others aren’t true fans. Had some fun arguments on a Flyers site because you couldn’t be a fan on that blog unless you spent a certain amount of money each year on gear and you stayed for every minute of every game.

It is all garbage. No one decides how big of a fan someone else is or who gets to root for who.

mhenski
mhenski
July 20, 2016 9:52 am
Reply to  pdiddy

i said this? ie go post somewhere else? if i did id love to see that context. if i did id imagine it was year 1 of the tank and sixers were god awful and meanwhile jon hart was trying to pump up lebron coming here along with a bunch of other bs nonsense…

mhenski
mhenski
July 20, 2016 9:53 am
Reply to  pdiddy

and whether it was me or not a person posting now when they wouldnt before isnt bandwagon shit as the sixers still gonna be awful and aint competing for a title… cant be a bandwagon when the teams full of teenagers/rookies…

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 20, 2016 5:42 pm
Reply to  pdiddy

Wasn’t you who said it Henski

paulman
paulman
July 14, 2016 12:16 pm

Good Luck to Forward Christian Wood who was still unsigned by the 76ers and Received and Signed a 2 Year Deal with the Charlotte Hornets…
Wood who had been playing well for the 76ers this Summer will get more opportunities with the Hornets who can use Depth at the Forward Position with the loss of Al Jefferson in Free-Agency and Frank Kaminsky to Off-Season Surgery which will have him out for the Start of the 2016-2017 Season

The Chicago Bulls also Signed Guard Isiah Canaan to a Reported 2 Year $2.2 Million Deal as Teams start to solidify their Rosters for the Opening of Camp Time..

pdiddy
pdiddy
July 20, 2016 5:44 pm

I agree bugsy nobody can judge your fandom. It’s just funny how this one particular person said this to me and JH and now all they post is Sixer Stuff.