Ben Simmons to 76ers: Twitter Reacts as Forward Is Selected in 2016 NBA Draft

Adam Wells @adamwells1985Featured ColumnistJune 23, 2016

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Ben Simmons (LSU) takes a selfie photo in front of fans before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers made official what has already been known for a while, selecting LSU product Ben Simmons with the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft on Thursday night in Brooklyn, New York.

The Sixers welcomed Simmons into the fold after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called his name:

Philadelphia 76ers @sixers
With the 1st pick in the 2016 @NBADraft... #PHILAfirst https://t.co/jEH1SrVlKN

Philadelphia seemed to be happy with the selection, via Cody Worsham of Tiger Rag:

Cody Worsham @CodyWorsham
Philly reacts to Ben Simmons. https://t.co/zpTkAJIYWe

Bleacher Report connected Simmons to the man Philadelphia selected the last time it had the No. 1 overall selection:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
A new era begins in Philadelphia. https://t.co/oCoAji28Ie

The NBA on ESPN showcased one of Simmons' highlights from LSU that Philadelphia fans can look forward to seeing:

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Get excited 76ers. https://t.co/OHgsRCX4LQ

Skip Bayless, as he is wont to do, made sure to get in some digs at Simmons:

Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
For Philly's sake, here's hoping Ben Simmons saved his jumper and some of his intangibles for pro basketball.

Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
Doubt Philly fans will be all that patient with Ben Simmons if he goes passive and disengages the way he sometimes did at LSU.

On a more positive note, Simmons received a nice welcome to the City of Brotherly Love from one of his new teammates and a former 76ers legend:

Joel Embiid @JoelEmbiid
Congrats to the Brodie and WELCOME TO PHILLY @BenSimmons25 #TrustTheProcess

Allen Iverson @alleniverson
Congratulations @BenSimmons25. I know you'll make all of us Philly fans proud!!

ESPN's Jay Bilas, who is not known for hyperbole, offered high praise of Simmons during the network's telecast (via Andrew Perloff of Sports Illustrated):

Andrew Perloff @andrewperloff
Jay Bilas says Ben Simmons has Magic Johnson-like passing ability. C'mon. Really?

Here are the rest of the best tweets following Simmons' selection in the NBA draft:

Jessica Camerato @JCameratoNBCS
Ben Simmons instantly becomes the face of the #Sixers franchise. #NBADraft

Roscoe Whalan @RoscoeWhalan
After 3 long years... It took all these guys to reach @BenSimmons25 #TrustTheProcess @BTHypeNBA https://t.co/r2UJMF6pg9

rolandsmartin @rolandsmartin
After @marclamonthill's @Sixers take Ben Simmons, I'm picking them as fav to win NCAA title. Such a talented team of sophomores and seniors!

Andrew Martin @OfficialAMart
Ben Simmons a @Sixers has me like https://t.co/OoJY50Fqps

Now that Simmons is officially with the 76ers, the real work begins. He's joining a franchise in desperate need of hope after posting a 47-199 record over the last three years and not making the playoffs since 2012.

The 6'9" Simmons is more dynamic and versatile than recent Sixers draft picks such as Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor. He gives the franchise its high-ceiling superstar to build around. The path to success does not end with the former LSU star, but he's a great way for the Sixers to start getting better.