Watch Philadelphia 76ers @ Milwaukee Bucks live on Sky Sports Arena from 7:15pm on Sunday evening
Sunday 17 March 2019 18:43, UK
Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons has the ability to emulate Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, according to NBA legend Spencer Haywood.
Since being selected with the top pick in the 2016 draft, Simmons has drawn comparisons with five-time NBA champion Johnson, due to his talent and considerable size at the point guard position.
Simmons' failure to develop a jump shot to this point has cast some doubt over whether he can reach the heights many expected, but Haywood remains confident the 22-year-old will fulfil his potential.
"His ceiling is going to tap out right around Magic Johnson's ceiling," said five-time All-Star Haywood.
"I like the way he plays the game. He has the same attitude as Magic, maybe not as much enthusiasm, but the same kind of game.
"And you can always buy a jump shot, by working out in the gym, spending time in the gym, so I think he's close to making that big step."
Simmons has averaged 17.1 points, 7.8 assists and 9.1 rebounds per game this season to help the Sixers to third in the Eastern Conference heading into their final 13 games.
While Simmons and in-season trade acquisitions Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris will all be crucial, Haywood believes the key to the Sixers' playoff hopes is likely to be center Joel Embiid, with his only reservations over the 25-year-old arising from his injury history.
Embiid appears for the most part to have overcome the injuries that blighted the start of his NBA career, and has just returned from an eight-game absence with knee soreness to spark a three-game winning streak for the Sixers.
"It's just the fitness (that casts doubt)," Haywood said. "Here I go again, likening him to a legend, Hakeem Olajuwon.
"All of these young guys I'm speaking of, and especially Joel, these guys are coming with game. These are not guys that have just got a lot of hype.
"He's going to bring so much to them in the playoffs."
You can watch Simmons and Embiid in action when the Sixers take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday evening, live on Sky Sports Arena from 7:15pm.
