Friday evening, the Philadelphia Sixers medical staff announced that rookie phenom Ben Simmons suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during practice. Currently, there is no timetable for his recovery.
With there being no timetable, it is excruciatingly important that the Sixers organization does not, under any circumstance, rush back Ben Simmons. He’s too important to the franchise’s future. After spending one year with the LSU Tigers, the 6’10 Australian was selected first overall by Philadelphia in this year’s draft with the hopes of being the franchise’s cornerstone.
With a remarkable skill set that’s highlighted by renowned passing and rebounding, the Sixers were looking to be on the up-and-up.
His addition to the team-which was bigger than all others-got the Sixers expected win total for this upcoming season to 27.5, according to Las Vegas.
They won ten games last year. To Vegas, Simmons is worth roughly 17 wins. And that’s quite the valuation.
Simmons now joins Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid as the other two Sixers who missed their rookie seasons because of injury. His contribution to the team, however, would be far greater than what Noel and Embiid would’ve done as rookies.
With Simmons out, Jerryd Bayless, Sergio Rodriguez, Cat Barber, and T.J. McConnell are going to spend the preseason fighting for minutes at the point guard spot to make up for Simmons’ absence. Even though he’s built like a power forward, Simmons is undoubtedly the best passer on the team, and his ability to pull down rebounds and run the fastbreak only make him a better playmaker.
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I earnestly hope the Philadelphia 76ers give Simmons as much time as possible. An injury similar to this sidelined Kevin Durant for almost the whole season two years ago, and Brooklyn Nets rookie Caris LeVert isn’t being rushed back to action after undergoing surgery on an injury similar.
As for Philly, let’s face it: they weren’t going to do much anyway. They would’ve been toward the bottom of the East with a potential Rookie of the Year winner. On the bright side, they’ll probably earn another top-3 pick for next season, and will be able to pair Simmons with an explosive guard like Markelle Fultz or Jayson Tatum.
Remember, Sixers fans, trust the process. And also hope that the front office doesn’t ruin the career of one of the NBA’s most promising young players. That situation, however, seems unlikely. Coach Brett Brown wouldn’t let that happen since he’s very close with Simmons and his family.
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