Embiid’s health will determine fortunes for Sixers, Brown
The skit has become familiar, the lines simple to anticipate. After six years, there is no reason for it to change.
The basic plot is for Joel Embiid to have one physical calamity or another, requiring him to take time away from the basketball court. The script will call for Brett Brown to say it will not be a reason for concern. Typically, the injury will linger longer than expected. Then there will be healing. Then there will be optimism, followed by great basketball from Embiid, followed by another absence.
Injury, denial, concern, healing, recovery, brilliance. Repeat the process.
That has been the story of the Embiid Era, which will resume
Saturday night at 7 in the BubbleDome against the Indiana Pacers. It has been a succession of promises and production, invariably followed by injury and disappearance. Naturally, then, that would be the theme of a threeact exhibition tour that ended last week when Embiid missed two-and-a half games. What was it this time? Right, it was right calf tightness.
“We’re just getting out front and being smart with it,” Brown said. “Neither of us have concern.”
By Friday, Embiid seemed to be in the clear, his name not surfacing on the evening injury report after his participation in an earlier practice. So it’s possible there was nothing too serious about his lower leg discomfort. Besides, if ever there was an opportunity to load-manage a player, July exhibition games would qualify.
But even though Brown had announced he would not play his “heavyweights any extended minutes” in the exhibitions, Embiid’s absence resonated. That’s because Brown’s reconstructed starting lineup did not have as much growth time as possible. And wasn’t a lack of lateseason time to mold presented last year as the reason for that second-round playoff exit?
Reasonable or not, Embiid’s latest shutdown did throw into question how a player could be off for four months, theoretically with nothing to do but remain physically fit without becoming exhausted, then not be able to make it until halftime of one game without needing an ice bag and a talking point. More, it wasn’t just any player who was so unfortunate, but the one player the Sixers will need to make everything work for the rest of what can still be a fulfilling season. His injury history, body type and admirable determination to collide into players and floors to win ordinarily will conspire to make Embiid miss some work during an 82-game march. But there is no reason he should not be ready to play without restriction in eight games and a postseason that will determine the direction of the franchise and, in particular, the head coach.
Earlier in the camp, Brown mentioned that he would like Embiid to average 38 minutes. Embiid didn’t protest. “I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “I know what my teammates think of me. I know I’m capable of carrying the team.”
He’s the most talented player, skill for skill, ever to wear a “PHILA” uniform. He’s on a $148,000,000 contract, was the No. 3 overall pick in a draft, deserves to be on the All-Defensive team, can shoot three-pointers, run, block shots, finish, rebound and physically and emotionally discombobulate nearly every opposing center in the game.
The question: Can he do that for 38 minutes a night in what the Sixers must anticipate could be 28-game postseason? Brown thinks so.
“I’ll own it,” the coach said. “I stand by it. And his fitness base can only improve over the base that he came in with and was noted and respected.”
If Embiid averages close to 40 minutes in the playoffs, the Sixers will roar at least into the semifinals. Brown will keep his job. Elton Brand will take a deserved bow. Add Josh Harris will angle to buy another team in another sport.
The Sixers, as they should, believe they are ready for that new skit.
“The foundation is good,” Brown said Friday, after the final practice. “We dedicated the time that we said we would to the areas we felt were the most important. So, ‘box ticked’ in offensive and defensive situations.
“As it relates to a rhythm beat of how you are playing, that’s been challenged a little bit without Joel. But the spirit is great. The guys have been an A-plus, and all things considered, to restart the season, I think the time is right.”
At this point in Embiid’s career, which already likely is half over, there is no more reason to question the Sixers’ sports scientists. It has been their learned opinion that Embiid requires regular down time during the regular season in order to be at full readiness when the games matter the most.
This is their time to prove that theory.
Every NBA player, Embiid included, has just had historic load-management time. The Sixers swear their All-Star center is in top shape. He is willing to play every minute. He’s not on that injury report. Yet, there is that question. There is always that question.
This time, it’s the calf. Brett Brown is not concerned.