For those melting that Simmons hasn't lived up to the hype

I don't care about his hype.

But when he acts like he doesn't give a frick, living up to any hype goes out the window. That's just being a spoiled kid who thinks everything should be given to him. He crowns himself the best, but he doesn't act like he cares. He's just doing it for the name on the back of his jersey instead of the name on the front.

For whatever reason he just isn't really a difference maker. He doesn't take charge. Sure he gets his stats but doesn't seem to make plays when the games are on the line. His free throws are bad, no offense outside 5'.

Well considering he can't make free throws in crunch time to seal games and he fact that he has no killer instinct when it comes to attacking the basket that's the disappointment many of us see. He had 8 turnovers in a game which Tennessee was missing their best player.

He can't shoot and doesn't have the will to finish a game. Scared of the ball with the game on the line too.

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can't make free throws...turns the ball over way too much...has a nonchalant attitude about him

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This, plus never tries to get an offensive rebound.

However, he is a great player. Averages 19 pts/game without even trying.

His turn overs are the most problematic to me.

Ben's entire offensive game leaves a lot to be desired. Nonexistent jump shot, I thought he would be better putting the ball on the floor going to the rim. His ball handling all together is kind of overrated to be honest.

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For whatever reason he just isn't really a difference maker. He doesn't take charge. Sure he gets his stats but doesn't seem to make plays when the games are on the line. His free throws are bad, no offense outside 5'.

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Effort, intensity, fire. None of those will keep him from going #1. Hello '76'ers would be perfect.

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Well considering he can't make free throws in crunch time to seal games and he fact that he has no killer instinct when it comes to attacking the basket that's the disappointment many of us see. He had 8 turnovers in a game which Tennessee was missing their best player.

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Ben's entire offensive game leaves a lot to be desired. Nonexistent jump shot, I thought he would be better putting the ball on the floor going to the rim.

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So more or less, its not what he does, its when and how he does it. IMO that is just supporting why he does live up to the hype. It has the skills to be an exceptional player (except for a jumper), but he is still raw when it comes to late game execution. I chalk that up more to coaching than ability.
As for the criticisms of his ability to attack the basket, that is highly unfair IMO. He is nearly impossible to guard one on one, he just gets stymied when teams go to zone or double and triple teams. However, at times he is forced to attack anyway because of poor shooting (by both him and the backcourt guys) or bad coaching (no viable system of offense against zone D). It is actually a credit to his one of a kind talent that he scores as often as he does in those situations.

I'm sick of the smarmy, condescending hype.

"He's the best player in a generation"; no, he lacks a single go-to move around the basket, and his offense is non-existent once you get 10 ft away. He has actually declined at the FT line, one place where putting in the work would enable him to improve (look at Victor, he's becoming money there now after starting out very rough).

"No, you don't get it; he doesn't need to score, he improves everyone around him"; this is complete bullshite. This is a solid team of role players, was in position to make a run and solidify a spot in the NCAA field. Has completely imploded. He's making nobody better; Victor is improving as he settles into the role as the only post player. Everyone else is falling apart at the seams.

How can you not be dissappointcd at this point? It's not the fans fault expectations were raised so high!