After years of tanking, the process is working for the Philadelphia 76ers as they're back among the best teams in the Eastern Conference.Former general manager Sam Hinkie was widely criticised for overseeing multiple losing seasons in a bid to draft top young talent.It was a long wait, but the franchise is now seeing the benefits of that as they're blessed with two of the most exciting youngsters in the league; Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.Embiid made his first All-Star appearance this year and it won't take long for Simmons to earn that honour.In his rookie season, the Aussie has been terrific and is already a superstar in the making.Despite standing at 6'10", he's been playing at the point guard position all year and has excelled as the facilitator for the Sixers.The 22-year-old has such a high basketball IQ and plays with a maturity of a veteran.In a recent interview on the Zoo's Views podcast, 76ers legend Allen Iverson waxed lyrical about the team's new phenom and is in awe of the way he plays the game.“I see someone who is a great player far beyond his age,” Iverson said when asked about Simmons. “You don’t usually see a player with that mindset. The athletic ability, you see it all the time, but his mindset, he plays the game the right way.”The former LSU product has been performing at a high level for much of the campaign and Iverson has noticed how he's improving every time he steps on the floor."You can tell he gets better all the time. You can see when people try to take things from him, he still gets it done," he said.Simmons has notched several rookie milestones this year and even recently surpassed a record set by A.I.In a win over the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the week, he logged in another impressive triple-double with 11 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds.This was his 19th 10-assist game this season, passing Iverson for the most by a rookie in 76ers history.

That was his third triple-double in just four games, becoming the first rookie to do it since Oscar Robertson in 1961, via Elias Sports.

With nine for the season, he's also passed Magic Johnson with the second most by a first-year player.

Simmons is aware of how good he can become and says he hasn't been able to reflect on his achievements yet as he's still striving for more.

“It’s kind of surreal,” he said of being mentioned with all-time greats, per Keith Pompey of Philly.com. “I think during the season it’s kind of hard to take it all in and accept what’s happening and appreciate it because so much is going on.

“We are worrying about playoffs and winning games. It’s surreal to hear things like that. But I have a long way to go.”

The Sixers have now moved to fourth in the east following a 119-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies and are firmly in the mix to secure home-court advantage in the first round.

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