6. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers (2016)
NBA career stats: 16.4 points, 8.0 assists, 8.3 rebounds
Ben Simmons is another of the most polarizing players on this list. On one night, he often looks like the best player on the floor. And the best part of it all is that he hasn’t even reached his peak yet. However, on the very next night, he could look like a player that might never figure it out. And it’s concerning.
Many will pile on his shooting struggles and the lack of a 3-point shot and less than optimal free-throw shooting, but the bigger problem might be his lack of aggressiveness on a consistent basis. Would an aggressive Simmons be the answer to his early-career questions? Who knows? Although, it could help change the narrative on his young career.
I don’t think anyone would deny that Ben Simmons is a really good basketball player and has the potential to be great. The real debate revolves around the fact if he’ll ever get to his ceiling as a player in the NBA. The talent is there. Can he put it all together on a consistent basis, and can that be on a team like the Philadelphia 76ers?