Iverson's advice for Ben Simmons: 'Play every game like it's your last'

Allen Iverson's advice for top draft pick Ben Simmons is simple: Give Philadelphia everything he has.

"Play every game like it's your last and they will love you," Iverson said. "They will love you to death. That's all they want."

Iverson spoke to the media before the 76ers' draft party in Eakins Oval on Thursday afternoon. Twenty years ago, he was the team's first overall pick.

He's remembered as one of the franchise's best and most beloved players, but when Iverson began his career, he knew he had a reputation to live up to.

"It's not going to be any different from Ben Simmons' view," said Iverson, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in September. "You've got to come in here and you have some big shoes to fill and we're all going to cheer you on and hope and pray that you succeed and bring this city back."

The 11-time all-star remembers when he was selected by the Sixers. He wanted to be the top pick, but until his name was called, he was nervous. His career got off to an emphatic start as he was named rookie of the year.

Iverson is convinced Simmons' career could go just as well.

"I'm pretty sure he's been fighting all his life to get here," Iverson said."Think he's going to slow down now? No way."

Simmons will be counted on as one of the pieces to bring the Sixers back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12.

But Iverson said that's the kind of pressure that players should want.

"You want passionate fans. You want somebody to come in and root for you and wish the best for you," Iverson said. ". . . Shots, those aren't going to go in every night. Some nights you're going to get in foul trouble. Those things are going to happen. Fans, they don't give a damn about that.

"They just want to see the maximum effort. I'm pretty sure that's what they want here."