The Sixer Sense
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Sixers’ health is (finally) trending in the right direction

By Christopher Kline

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08: Markelle Fultz (C) #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped off the court by teammates after he appeared to injure his left ankle during a 2017 Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08: Markelle Fultz (C) #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped off the court by teammates after he appeared to injure his left ankle during a 2017 Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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After years of injury-plagued disappointment, the Philadelphia 76ers are finally trending towards full health at the start of the season.

Nerlens Noel. Joel Embiid. Ben Simmons. The Process and injuries have a rich history, as the Philadelphia 76ers‘ four-year overhaul has been characterized almost entirely by future promise and the short-term disappointment of injuries.

Noel missed his first season, while Embiid was off the floor for his first two. Simmons — without any prior injury history — ended up missing his first year as well after a freak accident fractured his foot during training camp. The Sixers have shown an incredible penchant for accumulating talent, but getting them it all on the floor at the same time has been a constant struggle.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

That should change this season.

The Sixers are finally trending towards playoff contention, and a lot of that has to do with where their health currently stands. With Embiid and the last two No. 1 pick in tow, we could see Philadelphia’s full repertoire of young talent together on opening night — and that in and of itself feels like a victory entering next season.

Ben Simmons has already been given a clean bill of health, with Tom Moore reporting that he’s eligible for “full basketball activities.” That news has since been following by Robert Covington‘s improved condition, as well as Markelle Fultz‘s proclamation that his ankle — which he rolled during the early stages of Vegas Summer League — is operating at 100 percent.

Embiid remains the one (minor) point of concern. While he said he’ll be ready for camp, the 7-foot-2 Cameroonian still hasn’t been cleared for five-on-five play. Foot problems and knee injuries are the worst of concerns for bigs, and Embiid currently has both on his resume. There’s reason to proceed with caution, and that could mean the reigning should-have-won-Rookie of the Year is the Sixers’ biggest question mark as October draws nearer.

With that said, however, Embiid himself said he’ll be ready for training camp — which should indicate full health by the time the regular season is underway. Reports earlier this summer seemed to indicate the Sixers will be able to deploy both Embiid and Simmons sans minute restrictions next season, but Brett Brown directly contradicted that in an interview with CSN Philly.

While the jury is still out on how often we’ll see the Sixers’ cornerstones, it at least seems as if they’ll be on the court.

The buzz surrounding this Sixers team is growing, with young talent and an infusion of veteran leadership that should insure their prominance in some form or fashion in the Eastern Conference. Health is a big part of that, though, and for the first time in a long team, it feels like the Sixers are in a good spot.

Next: Simmons' high expectations almost feel reasonable

Let’s all knock on wood for safety’s sake.