The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season. Number one pick Joel “The Process” Embiid has stormed onto the scene as one of the league’s promising young prospects. Embiid has become a league-wide sensation with his stellar play and vocal quest to get the Sixers back to the playoffs. He may be getting some help too, in fellow number one pick Ben Simmons.
ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports that Simmons could make his debut after the All-Star Break concludes on February 23rd. Simmons broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during training camp and was ruled out indefinitely. The rehabilitation process has consisted of slowly ramping up conditioning followed by adding more basketball-centered drills. Haynes also reports that the bone in his foot is now completely healed, further lending to the idea that he may debut soon.
The addition to Simmons into the Sixers’ lineup will make the team considerably more lethal. Coach Brett Brown has voiced his desire for Simmons to play point guard, a scenario that will likely take time to develop. Simmons, coupled with Joel Embiid and several other high draft choices like Dario Saric, and Jahlil Okafor makes the future in Philadelphia appear very bright. The 2016 number one pick averaged 19.2 points 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in his first and only year playing at LSU.
