NBA Draft 2016: 5 reasons 76ers should draft Ben Simmons with top pick

Five reasons why the Philadelphia 76ers should select forward Ben Simmons with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.

It’s been a long, LONG four-year stretch for the Philadelphia 76ers since the franchise’s last playoff berth in 2011-12.

The Sixers have gone a combined 81-247 over the last four seasons, including a 10-72 record this season, the second-worst win-loss mark in NBA history.

There’s been little on-court success and even less light at the end of the tunnel in terms of offseason improvements. But that all seems to have finally changed in the wake of Tuesday night’s NBA draft lottery results.

The ping-pong balls bounced Philadelphia’s way, giving the 76ers the top overall selection for the first time since 1996 when they drafted an undersized yet dynamic guard from Georgetown by the name of Allen Iverson.

The 76ers enter the draft with three first-round picks — No. 1 overall, No. 24 overall (from Miami) and No. 26 overall (from Oklahoma City). This could be the draft that truly jumpstarts the rebuilding process, but it’s crucial that Philadelphia hit a home run with their first pick.

The NBA is a star-driven league. The four teams still vying for this year’s title are loaded with high picks — LeBron James (No. 1, 2003), Kevin Durant (No. 2, 2007), Kyrie Irving (No. 1, 2011), Russell Westbrook (No. 4, 2008), Stephen Curry (No. 7, 2009) and so on.

In the 13 players taken No. 1 overall since 2003 (including James), seven have become All-Stars and six have won the Rookie of the Year Award. LSU star forward Ben Simmons has the skill set to join this elite company.

Let’s examine five reasons why the 76ers should make Simmons the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s NBA draft.

Next: No. 5: Family ties