What could be better than a Philadelphia 76ers team that features Joel Embiid and boasts a better January record than the reigning-champion Cleveland Cavaliers?
That same Sixers squad, but with Ben Simmons, who may be on the verge of making his NBA debut in a few weeks time, according to ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes:
Philadelphia 76ers rookie forward Ben Simmons could make his much-anticipated NBA debut shortly after the All-Star break, league sources told ESPN.
Barring a setback in his recovery, sources say the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft has a chance to take the hardwood near March. There still remains the possibility that Simmons sits the entire season, sources said, but his situation will continue to be thoroughly evaluated throughout his comeback quest.
There will be a learning curve as Simmons, a rookie, is now also tasked with working his way back from a fractured right foot during the middle of the season. But it’s tough not to be optimistic for Philadelphia.
The Sixers’ latest starting lineup of Robert Covington, Ersan Ilyasova, Nik Stauskas, Embiid and McConnell is outscoring opponents by 19.7 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com. Though Simmons will probably be eased into the rotation as a member of the second unit, imagine swapping out Ilyasova or Covington (preferably the former) for Simmons?
Confirmed: Things are looking up in Philly.
Crazier still, that remains true even if Simmons ends up sitting out the rest of the year.
