The Philadelphia 76ers have dropped their last two outings, which is probably not surprising considering they were without Joel Embiid both times. The superstar has been one of the biggest feel-good stories in the league this season, but it appears his heavy load since the calendar flipped is starting to catch up with him again.
As reported by multiple outlets, Embiid is currently experiencing some pain on his right knee, causing him to miss the Portland and New York Games. Although the swelling has subsided, the 76ers certainly won’t take their chances, which is certainly wise considering the All-Star break has already begun. That said, if we’re being real, the team itself is to blame here.
Embiid will be re-evaluated when the 76ers return from the short interstitial, and while this most likely won’t reveal anything outside their range of expected results, the main reason why he’s experiencing that nagging discomfort again is something that is entirely attributable to the team and the way they’ve used him so far this season.
The 76ers rely so heavily on Joel Embiid and it is negatively impacting him
Embiid has been sensational since the calendar turned, which has led to him getting more minutes and much more frequent presence with the team. But that said, the 76ers have routinely relied heavily on him, and the consequences are starting to show.
At his best, Embiid is still an MVP-caliber talent. However, his body requires a delicate approach to preserve, but the 76ers aren’t exactly being proactive in helping him absorb the bumps and bruises that come with his prominent role and exposure on the hardwood.
Since the start of January, Embiid has averaged 34.2 minutes per game – a mark that would have ranked 14th among all players. Nick Nurse and the coaching staff have not been shy about playing him as many minutes as possible, but that is something they will have to reconsider after the All-Star break.
The 76ers have a big vision for their likely return to the postseason this year, but they have no chance of making noise in the playoffs without Joel Embiid playing at top capacity. But to get to that point, it’s imperative that the team finds more ways to temper his minutes and, as they say, protect him from himself.
That way, they can ensure that their return to the play-offs will be hopeful from the start.
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