Ingram over Simmons for Sixers, Everytime.

 

        Head-To-Head (Accrd. ESPN.com) 

	Brandon Ingram	Ben Simmons
College	Duke	LSU
Age	18	19
Height	6'9	6'10
Weight	190 lbs.	225 lbs.
PPG	17.3	19.2
RPG	6.8	11.8
APG	2	4.8
NBA Comp.	Kevin Durant	Lebron James

   
    Looking at the above comparisons between Ingram and Simmons, anyone with even a quarter of a brain would say the Philadelphia 76ers should draft Ben Simmons with the Number 1 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft.  In fact, they would not be wrong in doing so because there are many people in the know who believe the Sixers should draft the Australian Simmons and there are many who are rumoring that the Sixers will draft him.  This is the United States of America, more specifically Philadelphia, where we have the freedom of choice and I choose to believe that Brandon Ingram is a better fit for the Sixers.  And here's why...

• When was the last time the Sixers had a shooter? Allen Iverson, on his first go-around, not when he came back for a couple games before the team started tanking.  In my opinion, the NBA is a star-driven league with even more emphasis on 3-point shooting and Ingram fills that void.  Some would say draft the Best Player Available(BPA) and not for need, but Ingram is not for need.  Ingram shot 44% from the field and a very solid 41% from beyond the arc as a Freshman, at the age of 18, and on a Duke team where he shared the shine with the likes of Grayson Allen.  

• Ingram being so young has such a high ceiling, especially when it comes to his shooting ability that I truly believe he can be a younger version of Kevin Durant.  Simmons, on the other hand does have a high ceiling as he does many things well, but one thing he can not do is shoot.  Yes, Simmons is a better all-around player and yes, Ben can follow in Lebron's footsteps and learn to shoot as his game develops....but Ingram already has what the Sixers need, again at the age of 18, perimeter shooting.

• LSU is not a college basketball powerhouse and they are usually not playing the absolute cream of the crop, in doing so in multiple occasions, Simmons came up small and eventually could not lead his team to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.  Simmons throughout his Freshmen year gave up opportunities to take over games and passed them up to a poor 3-point shooting team around him.  Ingram on the other hand played on a more mature, elite Duke University team, which under the tutelage of Coach Mike Krzyzewski has become one of the most dominant powerhouses in all of college basketball.  Ingram, when given the opportunity would take over games and would call for the ball.  Based on his play and his demeanor I see a kid who plays bigger than his frame(just needs to hit the weights a little more) and has ice in his veins.    

On paper, Ben Simmons is the safe pick to many and I can understand that, but with the incoming talents of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric(hopefully), and a legitimate Point Guard via Free Agency or the draft, Brandon Ingram to me is the safer pick in being he is the shooter that makes more sense for this team in the future.  I am not saying I do not want Simmons and am not saying that I do not think he is or will be a good player.  I would actually be okay if the Sixers were to draft him but again the need for a perimeter shooter is glaring and Simmons does not fill those shoes.  Based on what I have seen from both players, Brandon Ingram not only brings the potential shooting ability of Kevin Durant but he seems like he is focused and has a good head on his shoulders, just read his "Farewell, Duke" piece via the Players Tribune.   The bottom line is the Sixers need a shooter and Brandon Ingram has the shot, so to Coach Brett Brown and the Front Office of the Philadelphia 76ers, lets take that shot now!