Ben Simmons has received quite a few comparisons to LeBron James in his rise through the youth ranks, mostly due to his combination of size, athleticism and passing talent. There’s no better model for Simmons to pattern his game after, and it appears he’s taking notes in offseason workout sessions with James.
This post was spotted on Simmons’ Instagram yesterday:
Seeing Simmons stand next to James reinforces his readiness from a physical standpoint. Simmons is only 20, but he won’t have to undergo the radical transformation James went through to turn into the human wrecking ball he’s become.
If individual workouts with James weren’t enough to get you excited, feast your eyes on this beauty from Dwyane Wade’s Instagram page:
There’s a wealth of knowledge between Wade, James and to a lesser extent Richard Jefferson that Simmons can use to propel him to stardom. Getting a behind-the-scenes look of what it takes to star and last in the NBA for a decade-plus is invaluable for a rookie, particularly one with Simmons’ aspirations.*
It’s great to see Simmons taking advantage of James’ mentorship. The real test will come when Simmons suits up against the likes of James and Wade, but this year’s No. 1 pick isn’t taking his first offseason lightly.
*And shout out to Jordan McRae for earning a spot in this group!