Nurse backs Embiid’s Olympic dream for Team USA
Team USA Basketball director Grant Hill on Wednesday presented Sixers center Joel Embiid with the No. 11 jersey he could wear this summer at the Paris Olympics.
Born in Cameroon where he grew up speaking French and English, Embiid is a naturalized U.S. citizen, which will makes him eligible for the U.S. team.
Before Sixers coach Nick Nurse had a chance Wednesday to say “nice,” reality set in. The question had to be asked and Nurse, to his credit, did not take it personally. Embiid with his health issues playing in the Olympics … I mean, seriously? The man missed 43 games with injuries just this season.
“I think it’s a ways away,” Nurse said. “I think he’s said the same thing several times now that if he is healthy at that time he wants to play. I certainly admire him for that and can see why he wants to do that. So, I’m just going to focus on getting this next game done and when that kind of gets a little closer, we’ll see how he’s doing then. How’s that?”
We’re good … for now.
Embiid Wednesday night played his sixth game since having his left meniscus repaired almost three months ago.
Also named to the USA Olympic team are LeBron James (Lakers), Kevin Durant (Suns), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Bam Adebayo (Heat), Devin Booker (Suns), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Celtics), Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) and Jayson Tatum (Celtics).
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When you look at the role, Sixers forward Paul Reed isn’t exactly elite.
At the same time Reed is among just 17 NBA players to play 82 or more games this season, both difficult and significant given the myriad injuries around him.
“It says a lot about me,” said Reed, the second-round pick out of DePaul who averaged 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. “I’m a resilient dude. I’m a warrior. I’ve had to play through some sicknesses, some injuries. But at the end of the day, I’m a warrior. I’m going out there and fighting for my team every night.”
Sixers guard Buddy Hield played 84 games after a mid-season trade from Indiana. The others to play all 82 are former 76er Georges Niang, Domantas Sabonis, Reggie Jackson, Jonas Valanciunas, Harrison Barnes, Bobby
Portis, Cason Wallace, Obi Toppin, Christian Braun, Jalen Green, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Chet Holmgren, Austin Reaves, Payton Pritchard and Mikal Bridges. Of that group, 14 are on teams that have at least advanced to the play-in tournament.
“I think it’s something pretty cool,” Nurse said of the 82-plus game club. “It’s pretty cool to be able to do that, especially in this day and age.”
Hield, 31, has played all 82 or more games three times in an 11-year career.
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The Sixers starting lineup Wednesday was composed of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Tobias Harris and Kyle Lowry.
Entering the game, the Sixers were 31-8 this season with Embiid and 16-27 without him.
The Sixers also were 29-7 when Embiid and Maxey both played this season.