Do Simmons and Embiid have GOAT potential?

By Rusty Gorelick | Nov 30, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts along with Ben Simmons #25 after drawing a technical foul on Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The Prince vs. Magic

After 18 career games, Ben Simmons’ first actual bad game came on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. While defending one of the two best players of all time for a chunk of the game and coming back from a swollen left elbow, the rookie point guard dropped 10 points, eight boards, two assists, and three steals on 5-11 shooting in 35 minutes. Just about every other rookie this season would take pride in such a stat line, but for Simmons, he looked like a rookie for the first time this season.

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Simmons, like Joel Embiid, mostly draws comparisons to a legend: Magic Johnson. The Aussie’s stats look nearly identical to Magic’s in his rookie year: Simmons averages 18.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.1 steals; Johnson averaged 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.4 steals.

Aside from the stats, people compare the two because of their styles of play: each is an athletic, oversized point guard who doesn’t shoot well. The main edge that Simmons has over Johnson is athleticism. The LSU product moves like a 6-foot point guard and jumps like LeBron James. Speaking of LeBron, Simmons’ physique is nearly identical to that of the King.

If Simmons develops a jump shot, he would jump way ahead of where he is now on the road to becoming one of the best point guards of all time, and maybe one of the best players of all time. For comparison, Johnson shot 30.3 percent from three-point range for his career, John Stockton shot 38.4 percent from deep, Jason Kidd shot 34.9 percent, and Gary Payton shot 31.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Ben Simmons does not need to turn into a supersized Steph Curry to become the best point guard of all time. He does need to develop a dependable jump shot, though. He and Joel Embiid both have their flaws, but they compare well to some of the best players of all time at their respective positions.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

Time, health, and development will indicate whether or not they will hit their full potential, but from the glimpse Sixers fans have had of their potential, the journey to the top for the two will be fun.