LeBron James was once told the NBA was ready to move on from him because Ben Simmons was here. You know the soundbite. I do. Everyone does. Colin Cowherd's infamous clip talking about the former Philadelphia 76ers guard has lived on endlessly in compilations of the worst NBA takes of all time. It somehow is made even more unapologetically funny by James' arrival in Philadelphia.
"For the first time in 10 to 12 years, I look at the NBA, which I've watched for four decades, and I say this now with Ben Simmons, 'Hey LeBron, we're good, bro. You can go. You don't have to. You can hang around. Still great, but you can go. We're all good here.'"
Those were the words that came out of Cowherd's mouth in April of 2018. Simmons' rookie year had the well-known sports personality absolutely enamored. In all fairness to him, that was the case for many out there, including 76ers fans.
For the first few seasons of his career, people did really think the world of Simmons' ceiling in the NBA. The former first overall pick came in drawing comparisons to James right out of the gates. The way everything unfolded from that point only makes it that much nuttier that a 41-year-old version of LeBron is now on the 76ers while the once highly-touted Sixers guard is out of the league.
Ben Simmons' arrival never gave LeBron James his free pass to leave
Contrary to Cowherd's take, the NBA was in fact not good with Simmons replacing LeBron. That never even came close to reality.
Simmons' career began unraveling around the same time that James was still the focal point of championship contenders with the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron was still an All-NBA Second Team guy by the time the 76ers point guard suited up for his final game in Philadelphia.
The steep and rapid decline of Simmons' career is well-known to most, especially 76ers fans. Whether the biggest reason is attributed to his body failing him, mental hurdles, or whatever else one cites, the Australian hooper was never the same after leaving Philadelphia.
James, by contrast, remains a model of sustained success that no one in NBA history can truly rival.
Is he still the best player in the world like he was for around a decade during his prime? No. Did the 2026 NBA Playoffs showcase that James still has a good bit left in the tank? Absolutely.
James is joining Philadelphia with hopes of doing what Simmons never could: completing the process and delivering a championship to the 76ers.
LeBron will not be the best player on the team. The all-time great might not even be among the top three. However, James is still trucking along while Simmons is on the outside of the NBA looking in. That fact grows wilder by the day given the excitement that once surrounded the 76ers' rising star.
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