Comparing rookies coming into the NBA to other players we’ve seen is our way of measuring that player’s potential ceiling. For no. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, the ceiling is a bit unfairly set at LeBron James.
Simmons’ style of play likens to the way James operates as a forward with a super elite knack for making plays. Denzel Valentine dubbed Simmons as a ‘mini-LeBron’ during Summer League, and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is now the latest to mention Ben Simmons in the same breath as LeBron, via Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com:
He’s a LeBron-type player,” O’Neal said. “What I mean by that, LeBron does a nice job of making everybody else around him better — passing the ball, doing the small things — and Ben is that type of player.””
Simmons clearly has an impact on the floor comparable to LeBron. His feel for passing the ball is next level, he’s genuinely unselfish, and he’s a matchup advantage with his playmaking against other forwards.
The issue, of course, with putting Simmons in the same breath as the league’s best player, is the assumption that Simmons can become an equal to LeBron. Shaq’s comment, and even Valentine’s for that matter, doesn’t insist that will happen, only that Simmons has the tendencies, the IQ, and the potential to possibly even come up as the generational product of LeBron.
LeBron is fine with the comparisons, and it’s only a compliment for Simmons, especially coming from a Hall of Famer who’s been a teammate of LeBron’s. Going into his rookie NBA season, it’s the ultimate ceiling for Simmons to continue to strive for over time.
