It’s not a new comparison. People have been mentioning the two players in the same breath since Simmons was projected to be the top draft pick. Even Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson compared the two, complimenting the young man’s all-around skills.
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The latest Michigan State player to make the comparison is Denzel Valentine, a fellow rookie, playing for the Bulls.
“He’s like a mini-LeBron,” Valentine said Sunday, via ESPN, after facing Simmons. “LeBron’s probably top 10, so if he’s a mini-LeBron, that’s saying a lot.”
It certainly is high praise, and so far the rookie is living up to the hype. Sunday, he hit 7 of 13 shots, scoring 18 points.
