Seltzer’s Notebook: More Bonding on Off-Day, Okafor in Vegas

Team Enjoys Fun Day OffHow did the Sixers spend an idle day Monday? First and foremost, after playing games on consecutive nights Saturday and Sunday, they took advantage of a little extra time for sleep and rest. Then, later in the day, most of the players went on a trip to Topgolf, a massive four-story driving range – complete with entertainment amenities like restaurants, pools, and a concert venue – located one block off the Las Vegas strip.”That’s a good spot to go,” said Ben Simmons. “Nice, relaxing, get some food, played some golf. It’s a good spot.”The venture represented the latest instance in which the team had an opportunity to further bond and create chemistry.”We’ve been doing it a lot,” Simmons said.The rookie admitted his performance at Topgolf wasn’t quite up to par with the impressive offensive showing he delivered his last time out. Sunday, Simmons dropped a summer league-high18 points on Chicago.  “I’m not too good,” he said, smiling wihile discussing his golf game. “That’s, like, the one thing I’m not good at. Sports, I’m pretty good at, but [golf] I’m terrible.”Simmons played rugby and Australian rules football growing up.The Sixers, following Tuesday night’s tilt with Golden State, could have as few as two or as many as four games left in Las Vegas, depending on the results they post when the tournament segment of the Samsung NBA Summer League gets underway on Wednesday.Sooner rather than later, Simmons is eager to settle down in Philadelphia.”I keep hearing it, but I can’t really believe it,” said Simmons, when asked at Tuesday morning’s shootaround whether he was aware of the excitement building back east. “I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to get back. I keep telling everybody.”Although he’s only spent a brief period of time in Philadelphia, Simmons saw enough of the city to see parallels to Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, Australia, where he was raised.”I thought it was going to be much different,” Simmons said of his new hometown. “I liked it a lot. It’s like a big small city. That’s like where I’m from. I like that type of vibe.”Grant, Stauskas Done in VegasBy design, Jerami Grant and Nik Stauskas have completed their respective brief stints with the Sixers’ summer league squad after suiting up for two games in Las Vegas.”The plan all along was to just get them a couple games here,” said Lloyd Pierce, the Sixers’ fourth-year assistant who is coaching the club in the Samsung NBA Summer League. “Nik played two [games], and he’s going back home. Jerami, because he’s playing with the [United States Olympic] Select Team next week, it was an opportunity for him to play with the team here, and also just to get him ready. We want him going into that fresh.”Grant scored 10 points in both Saturday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Sunday’s defeat to Chicago. He also totaled eight rebounds and three blocked shots between the two games. Stauskas deposited 14 points versus the Bulls, after sinking eight points against the Lakers. Five of his seven made field goals over the weekend came from beyond the arc.In the eyes of Pierce, more important than the tangible statistics Grant and Stauskas produced was that the two rising third-year Sixers had the chance to catch up with old teammates, while starting to form relationships with new ones.”We went to dinner [Monday] night,” Pierce said, “I see around the hotel these guys are hanging out. That’s bigger than anything they’re going to do in one or two games. They did get game experience, and it helped me, and it hopefully helped them.”Okafor Arrives in Las VegasAdd Jahlil Okafor’s name to the list of veteran Sixers who have come to Las Vegas to root on this year’s summer club. Lloyd Pierce said Tuesday that the third overall pick of the 2015 draft had just gotten into town. Okafor was sidelined for the Sixers’ final 23 games last season due to a slight tear in his right meniscus.  “He says he’s fine,” said Pierce. “He’s out working out with our strength and conditioning coaches right now, he and Joel [Embiid] and Jerami [Grant].”Okafor and Grant were invited to workout with the United States Select Team in Las Vegas next week.As for Okafor’s health status for the practices with this year’s Olympians, Pierce said, “He plans to participate. To what extent, I don’t know. He’s here, he’s going to support our guys at the game, and get himself prepared for next week.”In addition to Okafor and Embiid, Robert Covington, Gerald Henderson, and Isaiah Canaan have also travelled west since the Sixers reported to Las Vegas for the Samsung NBA Summer League.