PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- One of the Philadelphia 76ers' newest players says he thinks he knows how Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons can succeed together this season.
Center Dwight Howard is about two months removed from winning a championship with the Lakers, where superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis formed a dynamic duo.
"Everything they did was together. They worked out together. They ate together. They road bikes together. We called them ‘The Brothers.’ So they always were always together, playing video games, doing something," Howard said Thursday.
Howard has been in the league since 2004 and sees the obvious potential in the two young All-Stars. He thinks Embiid and Simmons need to be like James and Davis.
"They have to know each other so much on and off the court that, when they’re playing, it’s just natural," he said.
Howard says he has always felt from afar that his new team was very talented. And he says Embiid is in great shape and determined to have a better season.
"He has an amazing shot, you know, being one of the greatest at this position to ever play the game," he said.
Speaking to reporters Friday morning, Simmons said his relationship with Embiid is growing and Howard is correct that it can translate to the court. Simmons said he recognizes the potential that he and Embiid still have together, even joking that they are going to move in together soon.
"Over time, our relationship continues to grow," Simmons said. "We keep geling over time and getting to know each other off the floor, also, and that translates, too, on the floor."
After missing the Sixers' first-round playoff exit over the summer because of injury, Simmons says he's back at 100%.
And while he has a relationship with former head coach Brett Brown, Simmons said he understands it's a business and he's looking forward to Doc Rivers.
"Learning from somebody else is always great, just having different minds and voices out there, so I'm very excited to get started with that," Simmons said.
He said he feels it's important to take more jumpers, but there's a bigger picture.
"It's important to make shots, but it's more important to win," Simmons said. "I know Doc and Sam (Cassell) are gonna put me in the right positions to do that."
He agreed with former 76er Josh Richardson that accountability was an issue on this team last season.
"You know, bringing Doc and all these guys in, and Doc's team -- you know, with all these coaches around, the maturity has definitely risen with the team," Simmons said.