At the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons with the first overall pick. Unfortunately, Simmons suffered a broken right foot in the team's final training camp scrimmage and eventually missed the entire 2016-17 NBA season.
As Simmons prepares for the upcoming season, he will be one of the favorites to win the 2018 Rookie of the Year award along with Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball. However, the forward has a different goal in mind according to Niall Seewang of ESPN:
“My goal is to be the best in the league,” he told ESPN. “I'm not worried about other rookies – I'm worried about the guys at the top, and that's where I want to be.”
In addition, Simmons provided an update on his health heading into the new season:
“Physically I feel really good, [I am] ready to play and get the season started,” he said. “I've just got to go out and work hard … and if everyone in the team does the same thing, I think we can do great things.
Simmons has drawn comparisons to LeBron James to begin his young career and believes he has what it takes to be the best player in the league. After averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in his lone season at LSU, his skillset should thrive in today's league.
For the Sixers, there is great optimism in Philadelphia. After years of rebuilding, they have established a young core of Simmons, Fultz, and Joel Embiid. Along with numerous young prospects, the Sixers have added two veterans in JJ Redick and Amir Johnson to make a playoff push in the depleted Eastern Conference.
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