Ben Simmons to focus on improving jump shot during rehab

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Sixers designed their 125,000-square-foot training complex to be a one-stop shop to cover all the players’ needs. As Ben Simmons rehabs from his surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot, he has been with the Sixers in Camden for what Brett Brown describes as a “three-prong” approach to recovery.

The Sixers are focusing on Simmons' shot, education and health. Simmons, this year’s No. 1 pick, suffered the injury during a scrimmage on the final day of training camp. He underwent surgery on Oct. 4. There is no timetable for his return.

“There’s a portion that is educational where we’ll sit and show him different things on tape and educate him in the league. It’s classroom stuff,” Brown said after practice on Monday. “There’s stuff that he’s going to be overboard in that health club area, wet area, dry area, lifting.

“Then there’s stuff where he’ll sit in a chair and get his elbow under the ball and for a long time until he can actually stand — and right now he’s in the boot — just get his elbow under the ball, push it up, just try to get the basics to his shot where we have a chance to help grow his shot.”

The Sixers have expressed optimism of finding silver linings in Simmons’ rehab. Simmons’ shot is one of the weaknesses to his game. Joel Embiid has said his offense improved when he could not play for two years.

Simmons took to social media on Sunday to address his injury for the first time. He tweeted a message to his fans, posted a pre-injury throwback photo on Instagram, and published an Instagram story with a current picture in a Sixers workout shirt.

http://twitter.com/BenSimmons25/status/787787090725629952