Orlando Magic Daily
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Early 2016 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 27, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) moves through Florida Gators defenders in the second half of their game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) moves through Florida Gators defenders in the second half of their game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brandon Ingram, Duke Blue Devils, Clemson Tigers
Jan 13, 2016; Greenville, SC, USA;Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dribbles as Clemson Tigers forward Donte Grantham (15) defends in the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dawson Powers-USA TODAY Sports /

Tier 1: Brandon Ingram, Ben Simmons

Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons are the premier talents of this draft class. NBADraft.net currently has Simmons slotted at No. 1 with Ingram right behind him. And debate is raging between the two for that top spot.

Simmons is given no less comparison than LeBron James by NBADraft.net. That is high praise. His physical attributes and style of play speak of a power similar to James.

When Simmons gets going full speed toward the rim, there is little that can stop him. That Karl Malone drive is there when he has the ball in his hands, and few forwards are as freight train-like as Simmons most certainly is.

Perhaps a better comparison than James would be Blake Griffin. Simmons is capable of putting the ball on the floor and creating, much like Griffin who averaged more than five assists per game last year as a 4-man no less.

Simmons is also teachable and humble, which will give him the rounded personality general managers salivate over.

He is a great playmaker who is certain to blend well on any team. The term “can’t miss” could easily be thrown, howsoever inappropriate those pressures are at times.

Simmons is 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, with a very NBA-ready body. Though he is just a freshman at LSU, the comparisons to the all-time great have been thrown around.

Again, Griffin’s days at Oklahoma were sparked with similar excitement to what Simmons is generating. There is no small benefit in being a highlight machine either, as fan attention is great for any NBA prospect. Jersey sales are a given with Simmons even if his team eventually misses out on the NCAA Tournament.

Brandon Ingram of Duke meanwhile is as smooth a swingman as they come. He is reminiscent of former Magic great Tracy McGrady.

Like McGrady, he is long enough at 6-foot-9 that he can outstretch just about any opponent for a clean look at the basket. He can potentially be a lot like Kevin Durant in almost never getting blocked in the mid-range. He also has the shooting stroke to thrive at shooting guard, should a team want to place him in the backcourt.

Ingram needs work in the weight room, but Durant excelled without ever adding much strength. Pure basketball skills and intangibles alone are enough to substantiate that at a minimum Ingram will be a huge impact player.

He has the potential skill-wise to be a number one option, and he is efficient with the ball in his hands. It does not stick with Ingram because he can get a good shot with two dribbles.

As a rule of thumb, a player should typically use no more than three dribbles to create a shot, and Ingram seldom lets the ball stick in isolation. That really cannot be stated boldly enough for the positive it is.

Next: Sure Fire Starters