There was some “tension” between Joel Embiid and the Sixers‘ front office before he made the decision to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee, ESPN’s Shams Charania said Thursday in an appearance on First Take (Twitter video link; hat tip to RealGM).
Embiid has experienced repeated knee issues since suffering a lateral meniscus injury last winter. He underwent a procedure on the knee and was able to return for the playoffs, although his mobility was limited. After playing in the Summer Olympics, Embiid continued to be bothered by swelling in the knee and was only able to suit up for 19 games this season.
“The team believed he needed to play at some points of the season, that he needed to get his conditioning right through playing and getting better that way,” Charania said. “He felt like he needed surgery. He ends up getting the surgery.”
Embiid and the Sixers have been consulting with medical specialists to determine the best treatment, and Charania states that some of the “radical” options would have resulted in Embiid missing all of next season. By choosing arthroscopic surgery, he’s projected to be reevaluated in six weeks and to eventually make a full recovery that will enable him to play in 2025/26.
Embiid’s knee issues are among a flood of injuries that destroyed the season in Philadelphia. The Sixers entered training camp hoping to contend for a title, but instead they’re 23-54 with a 10-game losing streak and are trying to hold onto their top-six protected first-round pick in this year’s draft.
Before the Bucks and Sixers met Thursday night, Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers informed reporters that Embiid told him during a February 9 game that he was probably headed for surgery again, relays Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Rivers, who coached Embiid for three seasons in Philadelphia, expressed sympathy for his former player.
“I mean, it’s tough,” Rivers said. “The guy is as talented as anyone I ever coached. And it’s just too bad for him.”
So Embiid had issues with Knee since last yrs playoffs. A knee he has had surgery on before. Embiid came into NBA hurt. He didn’t play tor almost two years, I believe. He has played less than half the games. He has been paid for in his career. Less the HALF. Get the medical retirement. Then pray you land Maluach ……. move on
link to google.com
Honestly that is who they should draft.
Medical retirement is a rare thing in the NBA
“I mean, it’s tough,” Rivers said. “The guy is as talented as anyone I ever coached. And it’s just too bad for him.”
I agree with Doc Rivers 100%, but I think Embiid’s attitude gets in the way with everything and Embiid should not have played in the Olympics, he should have sat them out and got himself together for the upcoming season
Embiid is a great player when healthy and it just sort of boggles my mind that he doesn’t do everything in his power to be in shape like Lebron, Steph, Giannis, etc.
It’s a little similar to what Shaq would’ve been like if Shaq had slimmed down as he got older and injuries started to pile up.
Even Tim Duncan slimmed down a ton when he got older and stayed relevant for many more years as he aged.
To every non USA person, competing in the Olympics represented your country is the most important thing. What are you crying about? Now the Olympics is signing players. Weakest era in all sports and life
USA now we could care less about representing USA. We are the laughing stock of the world. We did it to ourselves
All Duncan did was switch from a PF to a C with less minutes when he got older
Had Joel sat out the Olympics he would have played in, probably, TEN more games this season.
Probably 8.
> Embiid should not have played in the Olympics, he should have sat them out
> and got himself together for the upcoming season
I don’t think it would have mattered what Embiid did last summer, nor do I think it’s fair to blame him. He did his best to get into shape, esp by losing weight, but he’s long since used up the allowable number of off-season “clean-ups” (like meniscectomie, chondroplasties, etc.), especially for a 300 lb man.
IMO, the blame goes to the Philly front office. How in the world can you justify committing $300M for the next 5 years to a (at the time) 30 year old that has missed more than 1/2 of his career games.
Aristotle is right
Why is Maxey out? 76ers are a clueless. Every team doing the Sam Hinkie now
The Sixers front office pressuring Embiid to play is the least surprising thing I’ve read all week. They wholeheartedly deserve that contract turning into a complete albatross.
Morey stans, where you at now? Total malpractice