LeBron James: Healthy Ben Simmons to ‘Show Why He’s the No. 1 Pick’

Ben Simmons broke a bone in his foot last Friday, and though there is no firm timetable for his return to action yet, LeBron James thinks the kid will be back with a vengeance.

James and Simmons are friends and business partners; LBJ says the 20-year-old will remind the hoops world why he was the top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.

LeBron has served as a mentor for Simmons heading into his first year in the L.

Per the NEOMG:

“It’s like, ‘Damn.’ That’s the first thing that came to my mind and knowing that’s a very delicate injury, I don’t know the severity of it but I heard 3-4 months,” James said Monday following Cavs practice. “I know he’s getting a MRI and more tests today to see exactly (the prognosis). But he’ll be fine. He’s a young guy.

 

“He’s got to make sure he’s patient and not get frustrated with the process because obviously I know I would want to get on the floor. But he has a long career in front of him and he just has to be patient, let the foot heal and when he gets back on the floor then he’ll show why he’s the No. 1 pick.”

 

Represented by James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, Simmons worked out in Cleveland prior to the NBA Draft and spent time courtside during the season. […] Last June, as the NBA Finals were going on, James raved about Simmons, stating the youngster has all the tools and can be as good as he wants to be.

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