LeBron James Doesn't Mind Ben Simmons Being Compared to Him

LSU freshman Ben Simmons has been given some high praise so far in his basketball career, the highest coming in the form of a comparison to LeBron James.

The pride of the Cleveland Cavaliers can do it all on the floor like few others in basketball history, and the 6’10” Australian has already shown flashes of LBJ-like dominance.

Simmons was in attendance for the Cavs’ contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, and James was asked about fans and media likening the potential one-and-done forward to himself.

Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, he said:

"

I don't mind it. Someone's going to be compared to someone all the time, and I don't mind him being compared to me. People not only recognizing what he does on the floor, but he's a great kid, too. He has a great family, great support system, and that's why he's able to do what he [does] on the floor.

"

McMenamin also wrote that the two met at the Nike Basketball Academy in California over the summer. James was an instructor and Simmons was a counselor. They still keep in touch regularly.

Simmons, who correctly predicted a Cavaliers comeback in the fourth quarter against NOLA (though they fell short in overtime), seemed to embrace being compared to the King:

"

He's one of the best players in the world that's played the game. I just try to take little parts of his game and put it into mine. His size is one of the things that I look at. I'm 6-10, and he's right at 6-8 or 6-9, and I just try and fit what he does into my game.

"

The 19-year-old phenom also talked about LBJ’s influence, saying, "He gives me a lot of advice if I ever need it. He looks out for me, and he's one of those people you have to have as a mentor because he's one of the best players in the world."

Simmons is averaging 19.9 points, 14.9 boards and six assists for the Tigers. On Dec. 2, he poured in 43 points on 15-of-20 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds, seven dimes, five steals and three blocks in a win over North Florida.

He has a long way to go before he’s officially in James’ category, but Simmons seems like a surefire star at the next level.

[h/t ESPN]