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As an NBA player, you know you have finally made it when a legend anoints you with the “next” or “new” label. It's passing the torch, perhaps akin to being knighted as well. Then again, the Philadelphia 76ers' transcendental oversized point guard that is Ben Simmons, doesn't exactly need any confirmation that he's made it.
After all, he is currently turning heads as an unofficial heir apparent to LeBron James by virtue of his stellar play that has trickled down to the team and helped the Sixers claw their way out of a decade of mediocrity. It's also probably safe to say that he's the NBA Rookie of the Year and the only question mark is whether it's going to be shared with the Utah Jazz's Donovan Mitchell.
Still, it gives you a warm feeling being recognized – but arguably even more so when it's a Philadelphia icon doing it. Sort of.
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In advance of their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, a few personalities — namely, Malcolm Jenkins, Lil Dicky, the ever-present Kevin Hart, as well as teammate Joel Embiid — banded together to shoot a hype video under the banner “Philly Unite.” The highlight of it all, however, was actor Will Smith narrating the video and ultimately labeling the Australian neophyte as “The New Fresh Prince.”
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For the uninitiated — that is, anyone who wasn't old enough during the early 90s or hasn't seen it yet in syndication — Smith's “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” was a massive comedy hit during its six-season run. And it was set in Philadelphia, so it couldn't be any more appropriate to have Simmons keep that title in his belt.
