Ben Simmons: Improved 76ers going to be a 'scary sight'
Ben Simmons is eager to officially begin his NBA career.
The 6-foot-10 forward, who missed his entire rookie season after breaking his foot during training camp last September, sent a message to Philadelphia 76ers fans via Instagram on Monday.
"Roughly a year since I arrived in Philly and some think I've stayed the same," the 2016 No. 1 overall pick wrote. "I've had a year to learn, experience and develop my game to the point where I'm ready to grab this up coming season by the throat. Looking back now I would have killed the old me on the court. Philly, it's going to be a scary sight. Let's go!"
Simmons, viewed as a franchise cornerstone in Philadelphia alongside 2014 No. 3 overall pick Joel Embiid and this year's No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz, was cleared for five-on-five play in April, but didn't suit up for Summer League. Sixers coach Brett Brown said last month that it would be "very ambitious" to expect Simmons to start the season without a minutes restriction.
With the aforementioned trio, as well as young forwards Dario Saric and Robert Covington and newly-added veterans JJ Redick and Amir Johnson, the Sixers — if healthy — have a roster capable of fighting for the franchise's first playoff berth since 2012.
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