I'd have to give 'Nova the slight edge in terms of best BE backcourts for next season. Brunson, Donte and Booth returning. Ponds and LoVett should be right there though.
Simon is the starting PG unless he gets hurt. Mark my words. My guess is Lovett is a 6th man in name, plays big minutes though regardless.
Let's all say it together: Justin Simon is NOT a point guard.
He is as much of a PG as Dom Pointer.
Simon is a PG that because of his size can play the 2 or the 3. The staff will treat him as such because him and Lovett are the only two guys on the roster that can be trusted playing PG
Ponds isn't trustworthy running the offense?
No. And we shouldn't want him in that role. He's at his best as a 2
This is crazier than your post about Delgado not doing anything better than an average NBA player. Just because Ponds can score doesn't mean he isn't a PG. Conversely, just because Simon can't shoot that doesn't mean we default him to PG. Simon's dribble is high and loose and he only has one hand. He can passs very well, but so could Freudenberg. Ponds is the best passer we've had since at least Omar Cook and he has the best court awareness of anyone I've ever seen wear a St. John's jersey.
Simon has less guard skills than Ellison. Judged as a pure PG, I'd rate Simon's handle a 3-4 out of 10. His passing has developed over his career to compensate for his his lack of shooting ability, but I am curious to see wha a year and a half with Mullin and Richmond did to that awful shot (everyone seems to be able to shoot well with this staff). I'd imagine Simon would bring the ball up from time to time, take guys off the bounce going downhill off a weave or screen, and may even run the offense for a short stretch with a favorable matchup, but he is clearly not a PG. This is really not up for reasonable debate either.