You’ve seen the pictures of Ben Simmons working out in the gym.

The Sixers’ All-Star ball handler used the COVID-19 postponement to rehab his lower back injury and will be ready to go when play resumes in Orlando on July 30th.

Simmons spoke to media today on a Zoom call, his first interaction with reporters since meeting with us in March prior to the Detroit home game.

“I’m feeling better than I was at the start of the season,” said the point guard/forward. “I’ve been working since I had the injury, working until now to be prepared for whatever happens and wherever we go. I’m feeling great and been rehabbing this whole time so I’ve been feeling ready and I’m very comfortable.”

Wednesday, head coach Brett Brown said that Simmons was more or less 100%, which the player himself confirmed today.

“I’ll be ready to go,” Simmons said. “I actually saw coach on the court before (this Zoom call) and he was watching from afar. It was good to see him again. I’m feeling good and put on a lot more muscle, just ready to go and get rolling.”

via Ben Simmons’ Twitter

Simmons’ last game was February 22nd in Milwaukee, when he had to leave in the first quarter. He began rehab four days later and has now had more than four months to work himself back into shape, which resulted in him also adding more strength.

“That’s one of those things where it’s hard to keep that size on during the season,” he said. “So this was kind of like a resetting point. I was able to get Pilates in almost every day, lifting weights, getting my body back to 100%. So I’ve just been trying to go overboard with that. (I feel) more explosive definitely, just more control. I feel a level of control when I’m out there on the floor and knowing what I’m capable of with my body. It feels very good and just overall I feel like I’m back to 100%, and it’s a good feeling.”

Simmons went on to say that he trusts veterans like LeBron James and Chris Paul when it comes to concerns over a return to play in Orlando. He noted that he feels a responsibility to represent the Sixers in Florida.

“If we’re safe down there, and I trust what the NBA is doing, they’re taking extreme precautions with this, so I feel like if we’re all going, I’m in. I’m with my teammates, I would never want them to go down and not expect to see me there. I’m all-in with my team.”