Hoops

Is Ben Simmons ready for Rio?

I agree that the United's coach should be the Boomers coach.

Ben Simmons in 2016 will be starting for a NBA Team. At the moment only Bogut is a starter.

The kid is 6'10 point forward who run, jump, awesome handles and out of this world basketball IQ. By the way, he can defend, rebound, steals, block shots play help defense and assist/turn over ratio is better than most point guards.

Needs to work on his 3 pt and mid range shooting and get stronger.

For me, Start with Bogut, Baynes, Simmions, Mills, and Delly. Bench with Goulding, Bairstow, Ingles, Andersen, Motum, Newly, Maker.

I think so far he knows there are a lot of eyes on him. It's been pretty easy for him not to do anything that might rub anyone the wrong way, because the 2 games so far were easy wins.

I'm sure more will be revealed when he has to face a bit more adversity in terms of playing a superior team or matching up on a quality opponent that serves it up to him.
Hopefully that will bring out a bit of fire in the guy, because as a fan it's nice to see some intensity in a player and know that he seriously cares about winning. It's a fine line, because getting fired up over beating up on a clearly inferior opponent isn't a good look either.

Lots to look forward too. It's awesome that all those games will be telecast for us.

Ben Simmons will be a number one draft pick in the feckn NBA. But people are saying that he isn't good enough for the Boomers.

For me, Simmons should be in the starting five.

Well we have an entire freshman season to observe and assess, but unless he bulks up significantly he is an international 3 at the moment, and therefore ideally he'll want to have opponents respecting his 3 point shot. With his vision and ability to create off the dribble it really could make life easier for someone like Patty to play more off the ball.
If he starts knocking down threes as well then look out.

Not too fazed about Exum. To me he is an athlete who is still waiting for his basketball ability to catch up. Lots of potential, but his play for the Boomers so far hasn't been compelling. Even if healthy the Jazz would be pressuring him to stay away from Rio and fair enough too.

Simmons though is a guy who already has a fairly complete game. Experience is the main thing he is lacking, he's the biggest ever no-brainer as a lifetime fixture in the Boomers team, so yeah as others have said, get him in there ASAP.
I'd ease him off the bench, but if all goes well and he is comfortable out there then by all means throw as many minutes his way as he can handle.

Absolute lock IMO.

Must be taken.

He offers something which none of Australia's other forwards can provide.

Hard to judge on his first 2 games as they were walks in the park.
But I feel pretty confident that the answer will still be yes by the time he is done facing some adversity and superior opponents. The sooner the better in fact, as these "man among boys" type contests really don't test him or expose aspects of his game requiring extra attention.

Is Exum can play for the Boomers than Simmons should be starting...

Ben Simmons should be going to Rio. The kid is awesome. Rather him, than Bairstow or Jawai.

What up ballers? It's that time again!

1) Tony Ronaldson retired with more NBL games played than anyone else in history. How many games did he play?

2) In 2007, David Barlow set a NBL record by doing what?

3) Who has been a part of the NBL as both a player and a coach for over 20 seasons, but has not been part of a NBL Championship winning team?

Email your answers to us at insidethegame@australialivetv.com.

The first person to email us the correct answers will win a free pair of HOPS FOOTWEAR!

Good luck!

KB