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Ben Simmons injury update: Cursed Sixers rookie to have surgery

By David Rouben

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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As ESPN is reporting, number one overall pick Ben Simmons will undergo foot surgery and is expected to miss the first three months of the NBA season.

Any Philadelphia 76ers fans who thought that trusting Sam Hinkie’s process paid off when they got Ben Simmons were wrong. The Australian rookie, who has drawn comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James, broke a bone in his right foot during a scrimmage.

The latest news from ESPN is that he’s expected to undergo foot surgery next week, and will be out for at least three months. Some are speculating that it came as a result of putting on too much weight. He started training camp at 217 pounds, and weighed in at 240 by the time he got hurt.

It’s a real shame this has to happen. While a lot of people like to make fun of the 76ers, it’s never funny seeing a rookie go through this before stepping on the court. Simmons came with a lot of weight on his shoulders, and while Summer League is hardly a measure of success, he looked the part. Hardly anyone will forget the game between the game between him and Brandon Ingram that had a playoff atmosphere, and was capped off by a D’Angelo Russell game-winner.

Ben Simmons is a guy who loves to play, and is a fierce competitor. While he wouldn’t have brought the Sixers to the playoffs, he could’ve emerged as a leader on the court, while making games fun to watch. The Sixers will miss him during those first three months, while fans can no longer look forward to seeing Ingram and Simmons square off in December.

Simmons’ potential was considered transcendent, and someone who could lift the Philadelphia curse, but it has instead spread to him. Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, and Jahlil Okafor all suffered injuries during their rookie years while Dario Saric played in Turkey during his first two pro seasons.

One of those prospects, Embiid, had an interesting reaction upon initially hearing about Ben Simmons’ injury:

https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid/status/782009174976786432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Incidentally, Embiid is eligible to win Rookie of the Year this season. But it remains to be seen if he can stay on the court.

Next: 5 reasons Philadelphia 76ers can still improve without Ben Simmons

While Ben Simmons’ career isn’t over, injuries like this always have a lingering effect on a player. Meanwhile, this is a dark cloud to have over the Sixers as they start the season. At least Philly still has Carson Wentz.