How frightened ought to Sixers followers be about Joel Embiid lacking the preseason?
The Philadelphia 76ers introduced Sunday that star middle Joel Embiid will miss the remainder of the preseason for left knee upkeep. This shouldn’t sound alarms. There’s an 82-game common season to consider. There’s additionally the aim of a deep playoff run. When the Sixers tipped off coaching camp within the Bahamas, Embiid stated he would do something to be wholesome by the postseason. So that is simply one other step for Embiid and the Sixers in that normal route.
GO DEEPER
76ers’ Joel Embiid prioritizing well being for playoffs
Nonetheless, if you’re a Philadelphia fan, it’s obtained to be tough to battle off a bout of agita. The primary alternative of taking video games that don’t depend and utilizing them to combine Embiid and new ahead Paul George seems to have come and gone. Embiid performed in solely 39 regular-season video games final season and had surgical procedure on his left meniscus after injuring it on Jan. 31. However he performed for Group USA within the Olympics this summer time, and performed properly in an enormous sport in opposition to Serbia and Nikola Jokić.
Was there a relapse along with his knee? Will Embiid be prepared for the Oct. 23 regular-season opener in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks?
These are truthful inquiries to ask.
All of a sudden, Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse using Guerschon Yabusele on the middle spot to date within the preseason, when he’s extra naturally an influence ahead at 6-foot-6, makes much more sense. Even when Nurse is aware of that Embiid can be again for the opener in a little bit greater than per week, he must see how Yabusele responds on the 5 spot, as a result of the Sixers might have a backup middle if Embiid isn’t out there.
An essential half right here is the wording of the Sixers’ assertion regarding Embiid.
“Embiid is progressing properly and can proceed to participate in a person remedy plan designed to finest assist his well being and wellness for the 2024-2025 season,” the workforce stated.
That reads lots like load administration. If that’s the case, this might show innocuous. But when Embiid isn’t prepared for the opener, or worse, if he misses a stretch of video games to begin the season, this turns into a little bit extra troublesome.
An important factor is that the Sixers wish to get on the identical web page as a unit, and that’s unattainable with out Embiid in the course of it. You possibly can have Tyrese Maxey, and he’s an All-Star stage participant who might this season even turn out to be an All-NBA stage participant. You possibly can have George, who continues to be probably the greatest wings within the league, whilst he advances in age. However Embiid is the supernova of this group. He’s probably the greatest 5 gamers within the league. He’s the one who strikes the Sixers from an excellent workforce to the extent of the Boston Celtics, the Denver Nuggets and the good groups of this league. The Sixers gained’t attain their aim of profitable a title with out him.
That’s why the combination half is essential. If one factor stood out with the Sixers this previous week, and specifically in a loss final Friday night time to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s that this group has a methods to go earlier than it will get accustomed to one another. There’s nothing mistaken with that, by the way in which, as a result of George isn’t the one one new to the group. Yabusele, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Caleb Martin have all seen heavy rotation minutes this week after taking part in elsewhere final season, together with rookie guard Jared McCain, who’s solidly within the combine for a rotation spot.
GO DEEPER
Sixers camp observations: Paul George set to make debut, Jared McCain appears good
In the event you look across the Japanese Convention, continuity stands out. The Celtics are again for a run at one other championship. The New York Knicks clearly modified their roster, however their core has been collectively. The Milwaukee Bucks have been collectively, as have the Indiana Pacers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Warmth. The Orlando Magic have been collectively.
No legit Japanese Convention contender is introducing as many new rotation-level gamers because the Sixers, which is why if you’re a Philly fan, it’s a bummer that Embiid gained’t be round on this preseason for no less than one or two test-drive spins across the block. In practices and exercises and scrimmages, everybody works collectively. However you’ll be able to’t simulate sport motion, and now a few of these rising pains are going to have to return within the common season.
Therein lies the steadiness. The Sixers aren’t going to win a championship with no wholesome Embiid. However for those who sacrifice too many video games within the common season, the trail to attending to the Japanese Convention finals or past might have to return from a decrease seed. That doesn’t typically lend itself to getting deep into the postseason.
As an illustration, Philadelphia earned the No. 7 seed final season, primarily as a result of Embiid missed a lot time. That led to a first-round matchup with the Knicks, which led to an early exit. The Celtics, Knicks, Sixers, Bucks and even Pacers can all say with confidence that they’re among the many finest groups within the league. The Sixers gained’t have the luxurious of cruising by means of the common season.
If there’s excellent news, it’s that the Sixers have a deep roster that ought to have the ability to take up missed regular-season video games from Embiid, particularly if Maxey and George have constant availability. These two, plus the plethora of veterans who dot each nook of the roster, ought to be sufficient to remain afloat.
However the hope from Sixers followers must be that Embiid sitting out till the common season is only a factor of warning, and never an actual factor to worry about.
(Picture: Elsa / Getty Pictures)
