NBA 2016-17 season will sport "untested" superstars from colleges with fans expecting that they are ready to take the helm of respective teams. Traditionally, high percentage of rookies don't immediately bloom into full NBA-level players.
New faces are often subject of scrutiny in the NBA. Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram and Kris Dunn are household names for now but aren't basketball fans placing to much pressure on them to perform like LeBron James did? One trick to avoid confusion is to divert too much hyping from them and let time dictate who among the 2016 newcomers will display dint of greatness.
Philadelphia 76ers was a sitting duck since 2013. The squad is relying on heaven-sent change to emerge as a team not to be taken lightly and this will happen this 2016-17 NBA season. Number 1 pick Ben Simmons signs for the team with huge expectation to follow LeBron's footsteps. Thanks to Shaquille O'Neal who adds up to the already mountain-high pressure by fueling the comparison, CBS Sports reported.
One obvious problem with this misguided comparison though is that LeBron is a tank and Simmons is a strategist. James can ease his way through sheer force while Simmons' gameplay is setting the shot via ball rotation.
Another instant celebrity is 5th pick Kris Dunn who was voted by fellow rookies as most likely to win Rookie of the Year, according to ESPN. This point guard will play for Minnesota Timberwolves with expectations of leading the scoring charts. Realistically speaking, it remains to be seen if he can elevate into the elite list in NBA especially that the league is playmaker-dominated.
Now Kevin Durant has his share of blame for pressuring another rookie, Brandon Ingram. Durant said that he is seeing his first steps in the hard court on Ingram. Since then, Ingram is on the spotlight with expectation to hit 20 points per game like Durant in his rookie year.
Remember that Durant achieved the remarkable feat at 45 percent accuracy from the field so Ingram might be living in unrealistic environment. Further, Ingram will find this a tall order being a support to Loul Deng even if he has the skills to do so.