Quote · The Bill Simmons Podcast
NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling
Where this was said
NBA Draft Questions with Tim Legler
At 5:08 · chapter starts 2:27
Legler leads with Mikal Brown as his first choice after the top four — a polished scorer with range and handle projected 7-10. Simmons counterpoints with his infatuation with Acuff, comparing him to Kyrie for his creative finishing and stop-start mastery, calling him a true lead guard. Wagler gets praised for his shooting mechanics — full extension, elbow and wrist lock simultaneously — a trait that translates directly to the NBA level. Burrys earns Simmons's highest praise for his off-ball skills: coming off down screens, hips turning, releasing quickly without needing a rhythm dribble. The Clippers dilemma at #5 — they have Garland at point guard and a 35-year-old Kawhi — makes Acuff an awkward fit and Burrys a sensible option if they trade back. Steinbach is flagged as athletic and physically imposing but too limited for the top 10.
AJ Dybantsi is the clear #1 pick because he does everything at a high level — size, toughness, athleticism, skill — and his ceiling is still unknown. The Wizards finally have their franchise cornerstone, and no red flags from Peterson should change that.
Tim Legler and Bill Simmons both believe AJ Dybantsi is the clear-cut first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft due to his size, athleticism, toughness, and versatility.
Tim Legler compared Boozer to Kevin Love, citing his rebounding IQ, quick outlet passing, and high floor as reasons he'll be a reliable NBA contributor even if not a franchise star.
Boozer isn't going to blow you away athletically, but his rebounding IQ, quick outlet passing, and shooting potential make him a Kevin Love clone at his peak. His floor is so high it's almost impossible to imagine him not being an impactful NBA player.
Bill Simmons expressed concern that Darren Peterson appeared less athletic and less impactful in his college year than in high school, making him a uniquely difficult evaluation.
Peterson went from looking like the next transcendent guard in high school to raising red flags throughout his college season. The creatine situation, the dip in athleticism, the agency drama — this is the most confounding top-3 prospect in recent memory.
Tim Legler watched Fultz at the Steph Curry camp and saw a dominant, explosive player. What followed in Philadelphia — pressure, a mysterious shoulder injury that wrecked his mechanics, and a crowd that lost patience — is the cautionary tale every lottery organization should study.
