76ers set to turn promising season into must-see TV
CAMDEN, N.J. — Ben Simmons is set to turn the 76ers into must-see TV.
But he hopes to have another smash hit off the court. NBC has given a script commitment to “Brotherly Love,” loosely based on the life of the Aussie-born NBA rookie of the year.
Deadline described the pitch like this:
“Brotherly Love is inspired by the life of Ben Simmons and centers on a unique sibling relationship within a multi-ethnic family. Together, they pursue their dreams while navigating life in the spotlight in Philadelphia, a passionate city where sports is in your blood, and your blood is always boiling.”
Don’t touch that dial — well, unless the 76ers are on.
“It’s just funny because a lot of people probably pitch their lives and think everything should be a TV show,” Simmons said Friday. “We brought it to life. (My brother) wrote something up, pitched it to a few different people. NBC loved it and went with it. It’s really going to be about our relationship and how things just happen. It’s more of a comedy-sitcom type of show. It will be pretty funny. Hopefully, that goes through and works out.”
Oh, and LeBron James (through SpringHill Entertainment) is listed as an executive producer.
The 76ers were shooting for Ben & Bron.
The Sixers met with James’ representatives just hours before the free-agent signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, the brief flirtation enough to make the organization think they might have a shot at the NBA great.
“I feel like he could have been a great piece to add to get us where we need to be,” All-Star center Joel Embiid said.
So the 76ers will try to win their first NBA title since 1983 without The King.
But with Embiid, Simmons and 2017 No. 1 NBA draft pick Markelle Fultz aboard, the Sixers believe they can top the 52 wins and a playoff series win from a year ago as they chase a championship.
Embiid, speaking at 76ers’ media day, said a successful season would be “an appearance in the NBA finals.”
That’s a pretty lofty goal for a franchise that made no meaningful offseason additions and just this week named 39-year-old Elton Brand, who retired only two years ago, as general manager.