Brett Brown: Embiid, Simmons not having minutes limit is 'ambitious'

Player development has been a long and arduous process, especially for the Philadelphia 76ers. Center Joel Embiid is the perfect example of that, having been drafted in 2014 but not actually playing until 2016.

Ben Simmons, last year's first overall pick, is also yet to play a minute of NBA action. His delay, like Embiid's, stems from a foot injury the 76ers have taken the utmost care of.

But with hype building around the organization, Embiid and Simmons are expected to be cornerstones of the franchise. Whether or not they're ready for a starter's workload, though, still isn't clear.

Sixers coach Brett Brown was reserved in his approach when asked if both players could start the season without a minutes restriction, calling the notion "ambitious."

"I think to set our sights on that being a reality is very ambitious. It's very ambitious," Brown told reporters. "It doesn't alter at all the plan, the path, the purpose of what we're still trying to grow the program around."

Despite entering last season with what was supposedly a strict minutes restriction, Embiid simply played too well to hold him off the floor entirely. The 7-footer dominated in his 31 games, averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 25 minutes.

The Philadelphia faithful surely hope Simmons and Embiid will be healthy throughout the season, as they've waited years for The Process to truly come to fruition.