Eyebrows were raised in the NBA world on Thursday when images surfaced of Ben Simmons working out with LeBron James. Video evidence has also surfaced from the workout that showcases without question that the Philadelphia 76ers star has made great strides in his recovery from a back injury.
Simmons sat out the last eight games for the Sixers before the league went on hiatus on March 11 because of a nerve impingement in his lower back. In a video shared by Simmons’ trainer, Chris Johnson, the 76ers star is shown throwing down a series of vicious dunks.
The much ballyhooed workout involving Simmons and James was inspired in large part by how the two superstars share the same agency, Klutch Sports.
Simmons’ actual readiness for on-court action remains unclear despite his impressive dunking display. Sixers head coach Brett Brown recently cast doubt that Simmons will be fully recovered by the time the NBA’s return-to-play plan is put into action next month.
“My opinion, and this is not confirmed yet, is that we are going to be able to inch him back into this,” Brown said, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “Is he going to be 100%? I don’t expect that. But I think he is going to be available.”
The Sixers obviously will need Simmons at least near 100% if they have any hopes of making a deep postseason run after the NBA resumes play, which is tentatively scheduled for July 30 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.
76ers teammate Joel Embiid already has stated he has “something to prove” when the NBA returns to action. Having a healthy Simmons alongside him will only help in that regard.
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