The gift and the curse of choosing 1-2 in any draft is that if you are #1 and make wrong choice, #2 benefits, but if you are #2 and #1 turns out to be a legend, you were THAT close from getting your franchise guy.
History has shown when there is some debate about who should go #1 there will be a clear cut winner and loser.
Bleacher Report breaks down what the Sixers are thinking and why the Lakers aren’t mad at them.
The Philadelphia 76ers are leaning heavily toward taking Simmons on June 23, according to league sources, with the No. 1 overall pick they landed in the NBA draft lottery Tuesday night.
That would set the Los Angeles Lakers up at No. 2 with Ingram, who already wowed them in his May 11 interview on opening day of the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Ingram’s drive to be great and dedication to winning, according to sources, resonated deeply with the Lakers’ front-office contingent.
The sweet-shooting Ingram will be offered the chance to be so exceptional in a private workout that he shifts Philadelphia’s thinking, but as of now, it appears as though the Duke freshman will be available at No. 2. That would thrill the Lakers, who aren’t sure if Ingram isn’t better than Simmons.
Simmons LOOKS like an NBA player already, but the only issue with him is his dedication to basketball. Will he be obsessed about being great, you never know until they get in the league.
No one questions the desire of Ingram to be great, just more so will his body fill out to handle the rigors of 82 game regular season.
Neither one are sure things, but it is likely one will be better than the other, so pray if you are a Sixers or Lakers fan.