After a ton of controversy because the begin of the season, Joel Embiid was lastly cleared to play and made his marketing campaign debut this Tuesday night in Philadelphia’s loss to New York. Not solely was his efficiency “rusty,” described by his personal requirements, his group fell to their sixth defeat in seven video games.
With this outcome, the 76ers at the moment are thirteenth within the Jap Convention with a 2-8 report. The All-Star middle had a tough night time, to say the least, dropping in solely 13 factors, handed out 5 assists and incomes 3 rebounds. Additionally, eight of his factors had been scored from the free throw line, amid a poor 2-of-11 from the sector.
The Sixers massive man couldn’t disguise his mediocre show after the sport, and was sincere about his woes. “I felt okay,” Joel informed reporters. “First 5 minutes had been tough however I assume that’s what occurs if you haven’t performed shortly. I believed after that, nonetheless extraordinarily rusty.”
“Joel Embiid won’t ever win a championship till he will get his thoughts and his perspective proper”
Shaq is sick of Embiid’s anticspic.twitter.com/rOOTKqJCa9
— Barstool Sports activities (@barstoolsports) November 13, 2024
“That’s anticipated. Thought total, I felt fairly good health-wise. I feel it’s nearly trusting myself. Thought I used to be just a little timid, so I caught with a number of jumpers simply to get myself just a little comfy. However because the video games go, I’m certain simply getting again to myself is gonna be simpler,” he then added.
Whereas Embiid expressed his need to take part in Philly’s subsequent match, which is a back-to-back contest in opposition to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers, it nonetheless stays a thriller if his group’s medical group will give him clearance to play each single recreation any more.
“I imply, the primary 5 minutes, that’s anticipated,” the 30-year-old insisted. “All of us undergo the identical factor. After which I believed after that, it was effective. You are able to do no matter you need in observe and scrimmages. However the recreation’s a unique story, so I’ll be effective.”
With no assure that Embiid received’t fall to damage once more, his coach Nick Nurse has at all times mentioned his well being stays a precedence. “Our medical is at first,” he has been saying since opening night time. “Joel is there, the entrance workplace, myself, all people is weighing in. … We’re simply making an attempt to do one thing just a little completely different and get him there (to the playoffs) this time.”
The All-Star middle has been very vocal on what he’s referred to as ‘bullshit’ criticism from the press over his damage absence this season
Joel’s endurance definitely pale by the previous month as critics began getting on his nerves. The participant missed out on the primary three weeks of the 2024-25 season whereas the Sixers stored managing his restoration from his left knee, and he’s been calling out of the media for suggesting he doesn’t wish to compete or is just too delicate to wish to expose himself to the league’s depth.
Final week, he attended the press and made certain everybody round knew how a lot he’s sacrificed for this franchise. “I’ve damaged my face twice. I got here again early with the chance of shedding my imaginative and prescient,” he informed reporters firstly of November.
“…Once I see individuals saying, he doesn’t wish to play, I’ve achieved method an excessive amount of for this metropolis, placing myself in danger for individuals to be saying that. I do suppose it’s bulls–t … I’ve achieved method an excessive amount of for this f–king metropolis to be handled like this,” Embiid assured.
Sadly for the All-Star, a number of the most vital analysts within the media like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have legitimized the criticism in opposition to the 2022-23 league MVP. Nevertheless, Embiid had his eyes set on Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who referred to as him “the least-dependable famous person within the historical past of the sport.”
