Embiid’s Bandwagon Shouldn’t Be Getting Smaller

Sep 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during media day at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Ain’t No Other Man

The comparisons to Hakeem quickly changed to comparisons of injury riddled big men such as Greg Oden, Yao Ming, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas after news of the second surgery. But why? Every recovery is different so the comparisons are moot until Embiid steps onto the court. Oden barely saw the court due to continuous injuries, Yao was forced to retire due to foot injuries, and Ilgauskas made a glorious comeback from serious foot problems. On paper the comparisons seem spot on, but to really gauge how someone will recover is nearly impossible.

Why is there no comparisons to or for Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, who had the same procedure done? Is it because Durant is a bonafide superstar, who has already proved his elite talent? Durant is one of the top shooters in the world, so the procedure was still worrying, but not many would expect him to become an ineffective player. Which is why Embiid’s consistent play in the post should slightly downplay the injury.

Really, the main reason the Embiid bandwagon in Philadelphia shouldn’t be shrinking is simple, there is nothing else you can do but stick with him. Embiid’s NBA trade value is no where near where it was the night of the draft. The chances that another team gives up a first round pick, let alone a lottery pick, to pick up an injury prone big man is slim to none and even then, letting Embiid go before allowing him to prove himself also could be costly, as he could become a key piece in the rebuild. Embiid’s star potential will always be there, and for a team nowhere near to becoming a playoff contender, filling spots with star potential, whether injured or healthy is always a great strategy.

So don’t jump off just yet, Joel Embiid can still flourish into the next “Dream” player. Bad Choice of words?