Former NBA Champion Compares 76ers’ Ben Simmons to Young LeBron James

The offseason was a challenge for the Philadelphia 76ers. After realizing that they still didn’t have the right pieces for a title last season, the front office has done an incredible job to rebuild the roster. Newly acquired head of operations, Daryl Morey took it upon himself to construct a supporting cast to fit along with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

When Simmons and Embiid joined the Sixers, it was believed that the fate of that franchise was going to change for the better instantly. However, the chemistry between the two just didn’t sit well. Simmons also lacked shooting from the arc which the Sixers needed desperately.

The Sixers have now done their job to fix that. They’ve acquired players like Danny Green and Seth Curry, who are great at shooting threes. Having them on the roster could help Simmons feel more confident about taking those shots.

They also have Doc Rivers as their head coach now. Although his stint with the Clippers ended on a very bad note, he is considered one of the best in the NBA. Thus, Kendrick Perkins believes that things are looking up for Simmons and the Sixers in the upcoming season.

How are the 76ers going to use Ben Simmons’ talents?

On the Heavy Live With Scoop B Show, Perkins shared that he believes this will be a game-changing year for Simmons. He explained how Doc is going to fit Simmons with a new roster. He said:

“Doc Rivers is gonna be that guy who puts Ben Simmons on the low block and actually space Joel [Embiid]. He’s gonna use Ben Simmons in the high pick-and-rolls and having him go to either get a deep seal where he can shoot his jump hook or be a lob threat to the basket. And then he’s gonna use Ben Simmons to be that guy playing the dunker’s spot. And then on top of that in transition… I can hear Doc right now yelling at Ben Simmons about push it, push it, push it.”

Perkins also went on to compare Simmons with LeBron James. He called him “Baby LeBron” and went ahead by calling him a “dog” that doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. Perkins is a die-hard LeBron fan. So for him to say that is a huge deal. Will the newly constructed roster be the light at the end of the tunnel for the Sixers?