The 2020-21 NBA season may come in conflict with the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. However, that hasn't stopped Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons from looking forward to representing his home country Australia in the renowned international tournament. The All-Star point guard expressed his intent to play in the Olympics, with also an aim to win a medal for Australia. This, of course, comes with the assumption that he's healthy.
Via Roy Ward of the Sydney Morning Herald:
“Ultimately I want to play in the Olympics. I want to experience that, I want to win a medal,” Simmons said on Saturday.
“Hopefully that all works out with time and everything and if I'm healthy.”
Nonetheless, Simmons, who missed the Sixers' disappointing 2020 playoff run due to knee surgery, claimed that he's healthy and good to go for the upcoming 2020-21 campaign.
“I feel good. I'm ready to go,” Simmons said. “My rehab, from when I got injured to now, I've been very consistent with it and making sure I get back healthy which I am now.”
The Tokyo Olympics is slated to begin on July 23, 2021. Meanwhile, the NBA season could go as far as July 22, should the NBA Finals go the distance to a deciding Game 7. So technically, it's still possible that the Sixers' guard-forward's 2020-21 campaign could force him to miss the Olympics.
As mentioned, the Sixers are coming off a disappointing 2019-20 season that saw them get swept in the first round. Nonetheless, with a new-look roster and a new head coach in Doc Rivers, they could have a bounce-back season and could potentially emerge as dark horse title contenders this upcoming season.
If the Sixers somehow get to the Finals, which will begin on July 8, this still wouldn't give the Aussie ample time to rest up and get ready for the Olympic games. Ben Simmons would ideally need to take some time off after a grueling season and also get into training camp with his fellow Australian teammates before playing in Tokyo.
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