Louisiana Reporter: Ben Simmons A 'Fantastic Teammate'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There's a narrative floating around that Ben Simmons deserves blame for LSU's failure to reach their expectations last season, finishing 19-14, 11-7 and missing the NCAA Tournament.
Nola.com sports manager John Roach says that's a false narrative.
"That could not be more wrong," Roach told the 94WIP Mike & Ike Show on Monday. "This team was dysfunctional for the start, for some reasons that were out of their own control. Their glue guy had preseason surgery and their best post guy, kind of pure post player, missed the first eight games. So they were three freshman and their two leaders were out. Three freshman, three transfers -- the first eight games they were a mess. They just couldn't get it together. They were 4-4 and Simmons was the only thing getting them wins.
Listen: Nola. com sports manager John Roach on the 94WIP Mike & Ike Show
"He's a fantastic teammate," Roach, a Philadelphia area native, continued. "What people forget is this guy could have been the number one pick, if he were eligible, the year before. He won three national high school championships. This guy is a big game player who knows how to lead a team. LSU was a dysfunctional team."
Related: Brett Brown Has No Concerns For Ben Simmons: 'I Know How He Ticks'
Despite LSU's struggles, Simmons became the first college basketball player to average at least 19 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists per game since 1986 and as Roach pointed out, he became the first player in SEC history to finish in the top-five in scoring, rebounding, and assists. And, he was tied for the league lead in steals.
The Philadelphia 76ers will likely select Simmons with the first overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, as reportedly hinted at by CEO Scott O'Neil on Monday.
"He is ready for the NBA," Roach said. "He is a guard in a six [foot], ten [inch] body who is gonna feast on the up and down game. He's gonna be 20 [point], 10 [rebound] guy from the start, a 15-year NBA career. I mean this guy is the real deal."
