Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
TMZ Sports recently caught up Charles Barkley who said he thinks LSU freshman Ben Simmons should stay in college another year.

"I want all young kids to stay in college for at least two years," Barkley said. "They are not ready for the NBA."

When asked specifically if Simmons was ready for the NBA, Barkley responded by saying "No he's not ready for the NBA. They [LSU] are not even going to make March Madness."

Filed Under: LSU Basketball

Comments

25 Comments
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Ben has to and wants to go pro...he might not even be eligible to play another season based on what we've seen in 1 semester of school.
Reply93 months
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How is this dude still employed as a basketball commentator? Almost everything he says is completely wrong.
Reply93 months
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TWT
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Ben is not ready for the NBA: AND, JJ is not ready for the NCAA!
Reply93 months
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Simmons game will play better in the NBA since he can actually get spacing. We had no outside shot so everyone just collapsed on Simmons.
Reply93 months
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And he would be absolutely correct. But since NBA writers have already said he'll be the #1 pick, it must be so. Forget about that he's 19 y.o. Has no jumpshot. Has a nuanced game that is wonderful, terrific, talented, fun to watch, BUT, won't translate into lifting a crappy NBA team up a notch. But he'll make a ton of money and probably should make the jump. As an LSU fan, I don't care what the national media thinks about LSU or Johnny Jones. I think to say that LSU should have done this, or that, based upon Simmons, is pretty shallow thinking. I am willing to see how LSU does in the tournament, and, I honestly wonder, who would do a better job than Jones coaching basketball at LSU, all things considered?
Reply93 months
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I agree w chuck, however if the money is there, which it will be Ben gotta do what he needs to do.
Reply93 months
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Hater!!!
Reply93 months
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Charles does not hold back on anything he says. I believe what he said about Ben Simmons but it won't happen. GOOD LUCK BEN
Reply93 months
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Watched him most every game...has skills, no doubt. Also, has no jumper outside of 6 feet. And needs to bulk up muscle-wise. Will get boxed out by stronger NBA players in the paint. Should stay another year. But won't.
Reply93 months
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Charles may be wrong, but he doubts it.
Reply93 months
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Hmmmmm.... Sharpen his skill set under Jones or an NBA coach, ANY NBA coach??? I'm going NBA.
Reply93 months
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Charles tells it like it is and he ain't wrong. The NBA and agents will take this kid and use him up and then leave him on the side of the road like a Plank Road hooker. If some shoe company is willing to in for 100 million on an unproven kid who has not scored goal #1 in the NBA, has not made the NBA All-Star game or the NBA playoffs and has not been able to lead his team to the NCAA tournament.... I want the name of that company so I can short it's stock
Reply93 months
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Its called Nike, brah. Go ahead and short that stock.
93 months
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I have not seen a super star NBA who can not shoot, block, and play defense. Can you really be like Micheal Jordan or Lebron for your # of assists or rebounds?
93 months
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Plank road hookers don't make any where near what top 3 NBA draft picks make. Ben isn't getting any better under JJ. His draft stock can't get any higher. He should absolutely go pro.
93 months
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A 100 million dollar shoes deal says otherwise CalTiger. Ben wont ever need algebra. Only basic math skills, to count his money
Reply93 months
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He needs to stay and take some courses, the guy is not smart. It will help him in the long run
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Facts are facts. Ben Simmons will learn more by playing on an NBA team next year than he would here, learning absolutely nothing and maybe having to sit out for academics
Reply93 months
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Maybe he isn't ready but, a lot of high picks aren't ready because the NBA teams usually draft on potential. I'm sure he'll go in the top 3 if not 1st, based on this alone.
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:bow: Well said Barkley.
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I don't know if Chuck is right or wrong, but does it really matter? Ben will get drafted #1 overall to a team that is more than eager to pay him handsomely as he gets better.
Reply93 months
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Russell is a former American professional football player who has a net worth of $2 million
93 months
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