CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Anfernee Simons back to practice as a partial participant on Tuesday as he works his way back from a hamstring issue. The 8-year veteran out of IMG Academy has yet to play in the preseason and has been slowed by this hamstring problem.
Getting Simons back in practice will certainly help this group as they continue to move forward and build cohesion. That is going to be such an important factor in this team's success as they hope to reach the mountaintop in the NBA for the first time since 1983.
Rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr. is looking to make things happen with Simons and lead the way for the second unit.
"He looked great," Philon said of Simons at practice. "Just coming off screen, shooting the
ball, getting into the lane, pull-ups. I mean, he's a very confident, high-level shot maker. And then you put somebody like me or Tyrese (Maxey), guys that can give him the ball is really special, just because he can shoot it so quick and he can get it off quick. So being able to just see a guy come back and be ready like that is crazy."
A career 14.9 points per game scorer, Simons is somebody who can knock down the 3-ball, 38.1% for his career, and be an instant offensive option off the bench. He is a guy who can make a big difference for a contender and give the Sixers a microwave scorer when they need one.
"He made a lot of 3s today, and it was just like coming off real quick action," Philon added of Simons. "So being able to have guys like that my team and KCP (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) as well, guys that can really really shoot the ball is really helpful as a guard, just because you get in the paint, you draw defense, and everybody around you can shoot, so it make the game easier."
Philon has found ways to make things work with Simons in the few practice moments they have been able to work together. There has been a lot of dialogue and as Philadelphia prepares for the challenges to come, Philon feels like he and the veteran Simons can be a great dynamic group.
It's just important for the rookie and the Sixers to have him back from this hamstring issue.
"I would say, competing against Anfernee and being on his team, I would say it's been great being on his team just because I ain't gotta run around all those screens," Philon laughed. "But I would say, when I'm not on his team, definitely trying to get that experience of guarding a shooter like that, somebody with that much of a dead eye, I would say, that can really get it off quick and make shots through contests. So I would just say it's been good just to see him do that and really see him get back."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers rookie gives thoughts on Anfernee Simons returning to practice
