NBA media day: Simmons’ huge gains, the team Bogut didn’t choose, LeBron speaks out and more

BEN Simmons explains his ballooning weight — plus updates on Bogut, LeBron and other highlights from NBA media day.

Ben Simmons has his photograph taken during the 76ers media day.

SHAQUILLE O’Neal recently described Ben Simmons as a “LeBron-type player” and at just 20 years of age the Aussie prospect already has the body of the Cavaliers superstar.

Simmons revealed he is currently tipping the scales at around 113kg — the same weight as James is listed at and more than 15kg heavier than he was when he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers back in June.

That’s some serious gains and while he expects to trim down a little bit as his rookie season approaches, Simmons believes the extra bulk will leave him in good stead when he bangs bodies with the best players in the world.

“I’m a lot stronger,” Simmons told reporters at the 76ers’ media day. “Physically just being out there, guys are a lot stronger than in college, but I’m also a lot stronger than I was in college, so it’s just about taking hits and bumps or whatever it is and finishing at the rim.”

Simmons spent part of the American summer training with James and Chicago’s Dwyane Wade and was given a first-hand look at how hard they work in the gym.

“I think just being around (LeBron) and learning from his habits and what he does has just helped me overall,” he said. “He’ll be one of the first guys in the gym every day — it doesn’t matter what day it is. I think he’s done a lot for me, and helped me with his experiences.”

One of the biggest criticisms of Simmons during his one year in college was his ability to knock down shots. He responded to that on Tuesday, saying “I’ve been working on my shot a lot. I can shoot the ball” before adding this exclamation mark.

.@bensimmons25 from the 2nd deck. 🙌🏼 #SixersMediaDay https://t.co/mCMRT70XCo

— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) September 26, 2016

Continue reading for all the highlights as a number of NBA teams held their preseason media days.

76ERS’ ROSTER ‘DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE’

It’s no secret the 76ers’ plan to draft the best player available regardless of position has created some problems with the roster. But it is new to have one of those players openly criticising it.

Philadelphia enters training camp with three healthy big men who are all capable of starting at centre. Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel — who were the team’s draft-night acquisitions the previous three years, respectively, before the team drafted Simmons — should all receive a starter’s share of minutes. But the logjam makes that impossible, and Noel seems tired of waiting for some type of move to be made.

“I think it’s just silly ... this situation that we are in now with three starting centres,” Noel told Philly.com.

“I feel like it definitely needs to be figured out,” he said. “I think at the end of the day, again, you have three starting-calibre centres. And it’s just not going to work to anybody’s advantage having that on the same team.

“Don’t get me wrong. We all get along great on the court and off the court,” Noel said. “But at the end of the day, it’s like having three starting quarterbacks. It doesn’t make any sense.”

The Sixers are likely waiting to see what they have in Embiid, who is scheduled to be a full training camp participant after missing his first two NBA seasons due to injury. They may more actively look to move one of their big men if it turns out he’s finally fully healthy.

Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo responded by saying: “These are all young players not in a position to dictate circumstances.”

— Fox Sports’ Brett Pollakoff

Nerlen Noels faces an uncertain future in Philly.

BOGUT ON MAVS, ROCKETS AND ANTHEMS

Australia’s Andrew Bogut was typically forthcoming with reporters at the Dallas Mavericks’ media day except on one topic: why he chose the Mavs over the Houston Rockets.

Bogut was reportedly given a choice of the two Texas-based teams by the Golden State Warriors after the 2014-15 champions decided to ship him out to make room for Kevin Durant.

Andrew Bogut: "I like Texas." @espn_macmahon: "Houston is in Texas." Bogut: "I like Dallas better."

— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) September 26, 2016

Bogut declined to specifically discuss the Rockets opportunity before detailing his plan to act as a bodyguard for Dirk Nowitzki this season and his preparedness to play increased minutes.

“I’ve never had an injury from playing too many minutes,” Bogut said. “It’s always been car-wreck type of collisions. I’ve walked under too many ladders, I guess.”

Andrew Bogut: "If players are physical with Dirk, I'll be physical with them. I'll try to protect him."

— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) September 26, 2016

Andrew Bogut on playing time: "I anticiipate playing more minutes, but at same time, if somebody behind me is rolling, I'm the 1st to cheer"

— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) September 26, 2016

Rick Carlisle said he suspects Andrew Bogut will play more than the 20 minutes per game he averaged last season...health permitting.

— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) September 26, 2016

Bogut also weighed into the social issues currently creating division in America — and the possibility of national anthem protests in the NBA. “Being around obviously a lot of African-American teammates, I’ve kind of been more and more educated about it throughout my career,” he said. “In the same sense, it’s hard for me. America’s been a place that’s let me live my dream and play NBA basketball at the highest level, make a boatload of money doing what I love doing. I understand from the African-American point of view, my teammates’ point of view, if they didn’t want to stand and (chose to) be a part of that kind of protest. At the same time, I’m thankful. America’s provided a lot for me, so it’s a tough one for me (because) I’m very supportive of my teammates.”

Andrew Bogut is happy to be in Dallas.

LEBRON: IT’S A SCARY-ASS SITUATION

LeBron James has emerged as one of the more outspoken NBA players on social issues. He also commented on recent police shootings, saying they’d made him fearful for his son’s life.

Full clip of that 14 second clip of lebron everyone is sharing pic.twitter.com/duWwIszAnl

— Idris Elbruh (@CapitalSS) September 26, 2016

RILEY: BOSH’S MIAMI CAREER OVER

The contentious relationship between Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat is likely over after a failed physical last week, according to team president Pat Riley.

Asked if the team was actively working toward getting Bosh back on the floor, Riley told reporters: “We are not. I think Chris is still open-minded. But we are not working toward his return. We feel that, based on the last exam, that his Heat career is probably over.”

Bosh missed a good chunk of each of the past two seasons dealing with blood clots, but has maintained he is now healthy and ready to contribute.

The team’s medical staff has refused to clear him, dating back to the end of last season.

Bosh famously joined the Heat six years ago along with James to form a super team with Wade. The trio made the NBA Finals all four years, winning two titles.

— Fox Sports’ Kerouac Smith

PAUL PIERCE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Clippers forward Paul Pierce, who became one of the best players in the league with the Celtics before moving on to play for the Nets and Wizards, will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season.

In a post for The Players’ Tribune, Pierce wrote that he believes it’s “time to move on,” but that he’s giving himself one more shot at a title run.

“Just like any difficult decision, I think you’ve got to be at peace with yourself. I’m at peace with retiring, but I’ve got one more ride left. One more season,” he wrote.

“After 18 NBA years, it’s hard to believe I’ll be playing in each arena for the last time. So I’m going to enjoy every practice, every bus ride, every team dinner, every time running out through the tunnel. I’m going to do my part to give us a shot at the ultimate goal.”