Often compared to LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers rookie forward Ben Simmons now possesses the physique to match after putting on 33 pounds of muscle.
Since leaving LSU, Simmons has been working hard to gain strength, which he believes will help around the rim.
“I’m a lot stronger [now],” said Simmons, who was listed at 240 pounds while at LSU but said Monday that he weighed 217 before the June 23 draft, per ESPN’s Mike Mazzeo. “I’m at the point where I want to cut down a little bit and play at a nice weight. Physically just being out there, guys are a lot stronger than in college, but I’m also a lot stronger than I was in college, so it’s just about taking hits and bumps or whatever it is and finishing at the rim.”
Simmons worked out with James and Dwyane Wade over the summer — not a bad duo to learn from.
“They were good. They get in the gym and work. They don’t play around,” he said.
Getting stronger certainly won’t hurt the rookie as he makes the jump from college ball to the pros. The biggest issue he’ll face, however, is hitting on jump shots consistently.
It’s the weakest area of his game, which is otherwise very well rounded. That said, he’s not losing sleep.
“I’ve been working on my shot a lot. I can shoot the ball. I’m not really worried about that,” he said.
Averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists last year at LSU, he should make an instant impact for the Sixers in his first year, even if his jumper isn’t hitting. With so many skills that are already developed, he has a huge leg up compared to most rookies when they enter the league.
And if his newly acquired strength translates to dominant play inside, then Philly’s young star in the making will quickly become one of the more dangerous forwards in the Association.