re: The Unfortunate Perception of Ben Simmons...

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on the court, yes, he had big stats. But they were hollow and empty.

With only a couple rare exceptions, he never seemed to put this team on his back and make big plays when we needed them. I think, in large part, this is because he knows his offensive game is VERY limited, and he's not the type to demand the ball with the game on the line.

So yes, his stat line is great, but it didn't translate to anything. Certainly not victories. The numbers were just "there" but, in the end, not meaningful. I had to look closely to confirm he was on the court, because he didn't affect the game the way a superstar should.

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Can we please put this stupid-arse notion to rest. Without Simmons, LSU wouldn't even have had a prayer at the post-season or a winning record in the SEC. Without him they get crushed by Marquette and N. Florida (two games he absolutely took over). Vandy is a loss; @ Alabama is a loss; UGA is probably a loss; the first Ark game is a loss. LSU is not even a .500 SEC team without him.

Plus, even if we accept the notion that he "never made big plays" on offense, who the frick was going to rebound for this team if it wasn't Simmons? Victor who was ineligible for the first two months and who constantly kept himself on the bench with foul trouble when he was eligible to play? Robinson who somehow can't hang on to the ball to save his life? Malone, who boxes out well but literally forgets to go after the rebound? Epps who get muscled out on the inside? Bridgewater who is at a 6" height disadvantage?

Simmons' individual effort kept LSU in a lot of games they had no business being in. I keep seeing everyone say "this team wasn't that talented". bullshite! Their individual talent was the only reason they won 12 SEC games. Jones just basically rolled the ball out there an stood on the sidelines just watching the game unfold just like the rest of us. There was very little plan or structure to anything LSU did. It was 5 individual players trying to make 5 individual plays.

He's soft.

Though he has the ability, he will not attempt to take over a game.

He's a horrible shooter.

He's the bizarro-Chris Jackson.

LSU Basketball would have been better off without him.

He's a weak defender.

The eye test shows he doesn't really doesn't care about whether his team wins or loses.

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Mediocre coaching and jealous teammates were the reasons he used

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mediocre should be changed to abysmal

He could've worked on his jump shot and some post up moves to start with. He could've been more aggressive instead off looking to make cute passes when baskets were needed. He had the most quiet stats I've ever seen. He didn't really seem to have much of an impact on most games.

JJ is not a good coach, but BS does not get a free pass.

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We ruined it for him.

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You are drunk on the BS love potion. How many times did Bennie put the yoke on and pull that plow for good ole LSU?? When you come off that drunk take a look at the other players who were up for the POY AA honors and see how many times those players dug down deep in crunch time and pulled it out for their team.

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Can someone please explain to me what more he could have done ON THE COURT this season, or in any particular game to be exact, to get us in the tournament?

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He put up some great numbers but he could have learned to play defense, He could have pulled a miracle or two out of his arse like a couple of other AA's and won some crunch time games, or maybe he could have just been the leader in the huddle. His own teammates have said it was not BS that was rah rah'g the team on - it was pretty much Hornsby and TQ that did that.

Maybe show some fricking heart out on the court and play with some pride in the jersey he wore with LSU on the front. He showed ZERO killer instincts to just take over a game and win one for his team...not once did he do that. He doesn't give a crap about LSU. That showed through his attitude this whole season.

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Record breaking huh?

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Go find another player in conference history to be in the top 5 in points, assists, rebounds and steals...he's in that category.

By himself.

I don't understand how you guys can crucify a guy who prides himself on getting his team involved and creating for his team, and try to tell me he's playing for the name on the back of the jersey. Makes zero sense. You want to start pointing fingers look at Quarterman and Blakeney who took absolute atrocious shots, and AB was the worst passer I've ever seen for an all American. Extremely selfish player.

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I don't understand how you guys can crucify a guy who prides himself on getting his team involved and creating for his team, and try to tell me he's playing for the name on the back of the jersey.

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He played so that the name on the back of his jersey didn't look bad. When the games were tight, he didn't want the ball around the goal. He was either scared to take the big shot and look bad if he missed, or he was scared to get fouled and go to the free throw line where he shot about 45% for the last 7 games of the year.



How many times would this team go 3 or 4 possessions without a basket and everyone watching was like, "Okay Ben, you're the #1 pick, go and get LSU a basket", only to watch him kick the ball out to one of his teammates?

the dude scored 20 but gave up at least that many for not playing Defense.

Choupique19, you're absolutely correct.