Once driven out of town, NBA star Ben Simmons has resurfaced on social media, sharing a surprising image of himself wearing LeBron James’ signature sneakers, a nod to “The King” himself.
The 2016 NBA Draft’s top pick endured a tumultuous tenure in Philadelphia that reached a crescendo of tension, ultimately leading to his departure via trade. Simmons, who even faced ejection from team practice at one point, is now stirring conversation by showcasing sneakers belonging to LeBron James, who has recently inked a deal with Simmons’ former team.
In a candid moment last June, Simmons hinted at a possible return to Philadelphia, expressing interest in reviving his basketball journey after it seemed to take a backseat to his burgeoning passion for professional fishing.
At the time of his comments, the notion of James joining the 76ers seemed like mere speculation.
Now, with LeBron James officially part of the squad, the Philadelphia 76ers are poised for a championship run. The addition of Jaylen Brown further enhances their roster, making the team a formidable contender for the NBA Finals this season.
Simmons had a phenomenal start to his career in Philadelphia, averaging at least 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in each of his first three seasons while also being named first-team All-Defense twice in that span.
However, in year four, he had a nightmare playoff series against the Heat that apparently caused serious harm to his career.
Simmons, 30, forced a trade out of Philadelphia and had a bizarre mental block that ended with him often passing on open layups when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden.
Another potential destination if he did return to the NBA would be the same team that seemingly broke him: the Miami Heat.
“Miami would be nice. And not because it’s Miami,” Simmons said. “I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture.”