The Sixer Sense
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Brett Brown Needs Ben Simmons Return

Bret Stuter|
Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) reacts with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Nik Stauskas (11) after hitting the game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) reacts with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Nik Stauskas (11) after hitting the game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown Needs the return of top draft pick Ben Simmons NOW!!

The Philadelphia 76ers are better than their record. Scoff all you want, but the Philadelphia 76ers, on paper, are about a 16 win team right now. The team began the season with two starters out, and the health of the team has not improved from that mark so far.

This team has not had veteran and projected starting point guard Jerryd Bayless for more than three games, and no more for the remainder of the season.  Nerlens Noel missed valuable games, when the team needed him most to catch minutes left over between Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor restrictions. Gerald Henderson missed games with a sore hip. Sergio Rodriguez missed games with a rolled ankle.

But this team has yet to see top draft pick rookie Ben Simmons on the basketball court.  Ben Simmons, the consensus best talent available to the NBA via the 2016 NBA Draft, has remained on the sidelines rehabbing a fractured foot.