The Philadelphia 76ers are being cautious about their biggest star player, which is giving some people a bad feeling.
Embiid has yet to play this young season, his first after signing a three-year, $193 million contract extension, and there has been controversy over his health and availability.
Embiid and the Sixers have been open about Embiid’s “load management,” saying it’s unlikely Embiid will play both ends of a game on consecutive nights to stay healthy.
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Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on April 2, 2024. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
This week’s Philadelphia Inquirer column on the controversy was headlined, “Sixers plan to sit Joel Embiid early and often. Fans should be refunded for games without him.” Ta. Writer Marcus Hayes dubbed Embiid “Mr. 46 Percent” because he has played in 46 percent of regular season games since he was drafted in 2014. Mr Hayes also described the arrangement as a “fraud”.
But when Embiid is on the floor, he’s one of the most dominant forces in the league. Had he stayed healthy last season, he could have won back-to-back MVPs.
On Friday, Embiid was asked what he thought about his usage, and he took it as an opportunity to respond to the criticism.
“It’s not set in stone by any means. Like I said, we’re all on the same page. If my body is reacting poorly and my body is telling me something, I’ve done it,” Embiid said.
“As far as I can tell, I broke my face twice. I came back early at the risk of losing my eyesight. I broke my finger. But I still came back. So I’m sitting here looking like this. He’s not going to be,” and when you see someone saying, “He doesn’t want to play.” I think it’s dangerous for people to say that because I’ve done so much for this city.
Joel of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on April 28, 2024 in Philadelphia. Embiid. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
“That guy isn’t here. Whatever his name is, it’s Marcus. I’ve gone too far for this shitty city to be treated like this. So I’ve gone too far.” But like I said, I wish I was as lucky as everyone else, but it doesn’t mean I’m not trying, it’s not that I’m not doing what it takes to get out. there is no. I’ll be here soon. ”
The NBA recently fined the Sixers $100,000 for public statements regarding Embiid’s health earlier in the season. The league investigated the 76ers after Embiid missed the team’s season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, but the investigation was reportedly a formality due to player participation policy in nationally televised games. There is.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers makes a free throw during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 22, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. (Jesse D. Garabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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The NBA found the 76ers did not violate its policies, but disciplined the team for public comments that did not adequately reflect Embiid’s knee issues. The league concluded that Embiid was suffering from “left knee symptoms.”
FOX News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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