Fantasy basketball faceoff: Ben Simmons vs. Paul George

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Here's a look at whether you should select Ben Simmons or Paul George in 2018 fantasy basketball drafts:

2017-18 Stats

The Case for Ben Simmons

Simmons is already among the NBA's best, as he's become one of the most effective defenders and slickest passers. At 6-foot-10, he easily finishes around the rim and is elite on the boards. Few around the Association are a consistent triple-double threat, and Simmons ended the 2017-18 season as one of three players to average at least 10 points, eight rebounds, and eight dimes per game.

On the defensive end, Simmons was the only player in the league with 140-plus steals and 70-plus blocks. His production as a rookie was almost surreal, and he's now one of the best bets to dominate a stat sheet for fantasy owners.

Of course, there's always a negative, and Simmons' issue is as peculiar as any. In today's modern game of floor spacing, the versatile star hit zero 3-pointers on 11 attempts last season. He was also disappointing from the charity stripe, shooting only 56 percent. Nonetheless, he affects the game well enough in other ways that you can sweep his deficiencies under the rug.

Best-Case Scenario: Simmons improves his scoring and figures out how to shoot a semi-respectable percentage from the free-throw line. He inches closer to a triple-double average and becomes a top-10 fantasy player.

Worst-Case Scenario: Defenses figure out how to slow the Aussie down, blocking his path to the rim and keeping him around the perimeter. That would hurt his totals across the board.

The Case for Paul George

George has an opportunity to escape Russell Westbrook's shadow and become his equal, instead of his sidekick. The fit won't be so awkward with Carmelo Anthony gone, and the Oklahoma City Thunder's elite defense gives George an opportunity to focus more on the offensive end.

Westbrook's ball dominance generally takes over the game and box score. But even a slight shift toward a more controlled pace could open up endless possibilities for George and his fantasy owners. He's already a surefire bet to average 21-plus points and five-plus boards. He's also one of the best defenders in the Association, finishing second in steals per game in 2017-18.

With Westbrook's driving and kicking, George should continue finding open looks from three-point range, where he hit over 40 percent on 7.7 attempts per game last season.

There's no real concern when selecting George. Few players are as unselfish while taking a back seat and finding other ways to contribute.

Best-Case Scenario: George's decision to stay in OKC pays dividends, as he finds comfort in the offense and increases his averages. His 3-point shooting remains among the best at a high volume.

Worst-Case Scenario: The Westbrook-George marriage turns out to be a mistake. Frustrations build as the Thunder struggle to become a threat in the deep Western Conference. George can't duplicate his success from behind the arc for a team that sorely lacks spacing.

Verdict

There shouldn't be any rumblings about a sophomore slump for Simmons, as he'll continue his nightly triple-double alert for the Philadelphia 76ers. His LeBron-esque position versatility - he's listed as both a point guard and small forward - turns the young star into a more attractive fantasy selection. But his inability to shoot makes him tough to pick over George.

The two should be a wash in defensive fantasy stats. However, George's overall efficiency from the free-throw line and on 3-pointers should give him the edge. Without Anthony, the five-time All-Star's impact on offense will likely increase.