No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons is expected to miss at least three months of action due to his broken right foot, which will likely require surgery to correct. But if Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul, has anything to say about it, the forward won’t see the court again this season, Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Daily News relayed today during an appearance on Philly’s 97.5 FM.
Speaking to 97.5’s Mike Missanelli, Cooney said, “I just got off the phone with somebody who I really trust in the NBA, and he’s like there’s no way his agent is going to let him play this year. That’s an injury that you don’t mess around with, and he thinks he’s going to keep him off his feet all year.”
While it isn’t Paul’s decision to make regarding whether or not Simmons plays or not this season, any schism between the player’s camp and the organization would not be a productive way to begin their long-term relationship. However, if the team did make the determination to play it safe and shelve Simmons for 2016/17, it would be the same strategy the team used for Nerlens Noel and twice for Joel Embiid.
It would also help ensure that Simmons is fully recovered before making his NBA debut. An X-ray taken revealed that Simmons has a Zone 2 fracture, which is more commonly called a Jones fracture. With that type of break comes a greater chance of another fracture occurring. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer compared Simmons’ situation to that of Oklahoma City guard Cameron Payne, who had surgery on a Jones fracture July 25th, then got hurt again last week during training camp, breaking the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. A similar injury cost Kevin Durant most of the 2014/15 season.
While it can be argued that the Sixers wouldn’t make the playoffs even with a healthy Simmons, there are other issues at play, Dan Feldman of NBCSports.com notes. There were questions regarding Simmons’ attitude during his lone season at LSU, with the player being accused of not giving his all during the Tigers’ disappointing season. Attempting to force the team’s hand if he is medically cleared to play by team doctors wouldn’t help change perceptions regarding Simmons’ drive and work ethic, Feldman adds.
What do you think? Should the Sixers play it safe and keep Simmons on the shelf for the entire season in an attempt to prevent further injury, even if he’s given the OK to return by his doctors? Or do you think he should return to action if medically cleared during the 2016/17 campaign? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Keep him out for the season. It’ll be best for Simmons and the 6ers. He’ll be able to fully recover, get time to address his jump shot (this will mean that good players aren’t pushed out of Philly because of his weakness) and he gets a shot at the ROY next season. Also, the 6ers can address their front court logjam (more time on the floor for Okafor or Noel to build their trade value/prove themselves to the team), they can use the season to develop the other guys while seeing if some of the experiments work (Sergio, Saric and friends) and they get a better draft pick (probably) in next years stacked (probably) NBA hopefuls. Trust the process man. It’s not like they’re making the playoffs for at least a few seasons. I also want to see Embiid got to work in the post, Simmons on the court will mean he’s double teamed every time.
What the? Just wow.
Only in Philadelphia!
Doesn’t matter how talented you are, if your feet don’t work you can’t work. As a Pacer fan I watched the highly effective Rik Smits leave the game early because of problems with his feet. I believe the Pacers would have won a title with a healthy Smits. Without him they had to retool.
Might as well. They’ve done it for every other top draft pick they’ve had the past half decade.
More seriously, still yes. This isn’t an injury to mess around with just because it’s so easy to feel 90% better but then immediately mess something up and go back to 0%.
First, whose bright idea was it to have such a gifted, fluid playmaker like Simmons gain THIRTY-THREE POUNDS!? Jesssss H. Tapdancing Chhrrrisst thirty three pounds? In five months? I’d be livid if I were a Sixers fan/owner/supporter. Livid.
Second, can we all just hold our horses? Why do we have to project an internal fight the day after this kid gets his diagnosis. Can we please let a couple months go by and re-assess?
This article is misleading, no where a reporter quoting an anonymous source and the source is just speculating, must be a slow news cycle for Nba
Cooney said it on the radio
I would be more worried about the rumors that Simmons wants LA and out of Philly.