Joel Embiid 'progressing fantastically' - Brown

Sixers head coach Brett Brown shared his thoughts Thursday on a variety of topics for the fast approaching season, including a desire to play Nerlens Noel alongside Henry Sims in his starting lineup.

What about the Sixers' injured big man?

The No. 3 overall pick, Joel Embiid, was in Los Angeles as recently as last weekend. He saw his doctors, who had good news about his surgically repaired foot.

"Everything is progressing fantastically," Brown said. "The bone is healing. He is still in his boot. Like with Nerlens, we are identifying chefs to help them eat. Identifying dietary concerns and making sure whatever is going into him is educated. He is fine. But I have to help him with diet, weight lifting, and hydration."

A reporter asked Brown if he wanted to see Embiid play this season.

"Of course I do," Brown said. "I think it is too early to guess. Keep in mind last year I had to go to media training when I said Nerlens wasn't going to play."

Summer vacation In early September, team president Sam Hinkie, Brown and the Sixers' top three players traveled to Spain to take in the FIBA World Championships. Carter-Williams, Noel and Embiid were invited to watch another building block of the organization, Dario Saric, who was playing for Croatia.

"On draft day I shared some thoughts, and Sam shared some thoughts on the draft," Brown said. "We both agreed, for the betterment of the club, we should draft Joel Embiid and Dario Saric.

"The likelihood of either of them playing this season -- Dario we know is not and Joel is a work in progress, so the likelihood is neither of your first-round draft picks plays.

"I don't know a clearer example where you highlight the word patience. You win 19 games and then come back and draft those two players. I think it makes a very bold statement how genuinely patient we are."

Brown said the trip was a statement that "these are the cornerstones of the program."