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NBA Draft 2016: Ben Simmons Is The NBA’s Next Superstar

By Will Long

Jan 26, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU defeated Georgia 89-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU defeated Georgia 89-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the probable No. 1 pick of the impending 2016 NBA Draft, Ben Simmons has all the looks as the NBA’s next great superstar

This isn’t your typical article on everyone’s favorite college basketball superstar.

Ben Simmons has been spectacular in college, as he’s in the running for just about every major accolade while recording some insane numbers that we haven’t seen done by a true freshman in a long time. What a lot of people – who haven’t seen much – miss with Simmons isn’t his incredible athleticism, fantastic scoring ability, or superb court vision, but the intangibles.

The Australian native has a rare set of skills that has drawn him comparisons to the likes of Magic Johnson and LeBron James. But people don’t realize he’s got just as great intangibles as those two NBA greats.

With so much talent, especially in today’s game, you’d think the fame and publicity he’s earned at such a young age would get to his head. However, that’s not the case with Simmons.

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Simmons is about as humble as any 19-year-old basketball prodigy (who’s considered to have the potential to become one of the next legends) could be. He’s not a “me” player, so to speak.

Of course, his playing style is evident of that. Too many times, kids in the game are so infatuated with making the play instead of just making a play. With the Aussie, that’s not true. Simmons just wants to get the ball to his teammates where they can score a bucket. He’s not unselfishly selfish like other dominant passers can be – he’ll make a simple pass to reset the offense instead of trying to force a prayer shot or turn the ball over early into the shot clock.

Most of the time in LSU’s offense, you’ll see Simmons at the top of the key, directing Tigers left and right to where they need to be. If there are any questions as to what’s going on, Simmons is the guy to ask; he knows that, and his teammates understand that as well.

This is the side that many casual basketball fans might not know. The leadership ability that Simmons has is special, especially for a nineteen-year-old, college freshman. He’s earned the respect of Keith Hornsby, a fifth year senior – though he joined LSU’s program just last year – who took the step down as the top guy, allowing Simmons to assume the role as the leader and number one man.

Simmons is vocal, yet calm. One of the greatest intangibles he possesses is the ability to stay cool and collected, even in the midst of tough games. Even in lackluster performances against Texas A&M, Kentucky, and Ole Miss ( though he was still able to record double-doubles against A&M and UK, and was close to a triple-double against Miss), he remained calm. He doesn’t show his emotions much at all while on the court, which is something that will help him more down the road.

He’s not one of those guys that wears their emotions on their sleeves. No, he’s no Kobe Bryant, or Michael Jordan, or Shaquille O’Neal. He’s a more reserved – not really quiet, however – guy who won’t take his teammates down with him. In those three games, he didn’t slow down his teammates. Tim Quarterman and Craig Victor to help him carry the load en route to wins.

On an off night, notorious volume shooters constantly probe looking for their shot, prohibiting team success to an extent. That’s not Simmons. The Aussie knows when to pass and when to shoot. And though it’s rare for a player shooting 55 percent from the field to have an off night, they happen. And Simmons doesn’t become more passive (as in hiding); instead, he’ll step up and create for others.

One of the first things Ben Simmons said to reporters on SEC Media Day last summer was that his primary expectation was to “win as many games as [he] can.” That’s exactly what he did in high school at Montverde Academy, and though he’s struggling win to the same degree at LSU that he was in high school, his team is now 9-3 over the last twelve games after starting 4-4 (with numerous injuries to key players, including Hornsby).

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In most of his interviews on Media Day, winning was exactly what he stressed. And time and time again, he raved on his team “gelling together,” but also stated that there was a lot of work to be done.

Simmons is a high IQ player with – what sounds to be – a great drive for success and all of the talent needed to make an immediate impact in the next level. Whether that’s what he becomes or not is up in the air, but with his skill set and intangibles, the possibility is high. The future is going to be very kind to Ben Simmons.