Philadelphia 76ers: Doctor Martin Is Our NBA Draft Ace

By Bret Stuter | May 20, 2016

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Every NBA draft has prospects who fall undrafted due to health concerns. That’s why Philadelphia 76ers Doctor Martin’s Sports Science is our ace.

Joel Embiid, likely the top draft pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, fell out of the top draft spot because of nagging back and foot health issues. Teams would not “touch a big man with foot health issues” I have been told. Well, the Philadelphia 76ers did, and he’s now upgrading his workouts to two-on-twos, thanks to Dr. Martin.

Jahlil Okafor, initially diagnosed with a bruised knee, wanted to return to play but his pain did not subside. Knowing that pain equates to injury, Okafor’s knee underwent diagnostic imaging and discovered a small meniscus tear that ended his season. Six weeks versus a lot longer time out from aggravating the injury, thanks again to Dr. Martin.

Doctor David T. Martin was hired on as the team’s Director of Performance Research and Development, but he was associated with the team far earlier than that. Former Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Sam Hinkie wooed Martin for over a year before convincing him to come on board. Why was he worth it? Quite literally, because he was one of the first pioneers of the field. Sports Science/Medicine is his baby.

We touched base on Martin’s career and what he brings to the Philadelphia 76ers nearly a year ago. We also touched base on the impact he has had in nurturing Joel Embiid back to health. But that is just one career saved, improved, enhanced.

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Yes, other NBA teams are dabbling in sports science and medicine. Of course there are other programs in the NBA. But if you want to build a premier program, you need to shoot for the top. Dr. David T. Martin is tops in his field.

Tops in his field gives the Philadelphia 76ers an advantage when assessing draft prospects. Take for example one of the better NBA prospects: Michigan’s Chis LeVert.

LeVert had two surgeries on his left foot within 10 months, which is in itself a red flag. The first time it was a stress fracture, the second time it was a complete fracture. The frequency of two foot surgeries is something that sets many teams to avoid LeVert altogether.

When healthy, he was a top 20 prospect. Standing at 6’7″, he’s the ideal size for an NBA wing, and also has a terrific 7′ + wingspan. Nowadays, wingspan is almost as important as height as it refers to wing players, and LeVert’s numbers there are ideal.

He’s also a terrific shooter who has made 42 percent of his 291 3-point attempts over the last three seasons, and he’s a good ball-handler and decision maker offensively who can make a lot of plays for others. In terms of growth, he’d improved his inside game this season. In the end, LeVert profiles well as a potential role player on the wing offensively. If healthy.

Another prospect with health issues is Louisville big man Chinanu Onuaku who had minor heart surgery on Tuesday after doctors would not clear him to begin private NBA draft workouts with teams. Onuaku’s condition is a “heart rhythm issue known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome,” according to U of L sports information.

"“There are certain players who waffle and come back because they’re not sure,” Louisville coach Rick Pitino said. “(Onuaku’s) desire has been to go forth 100 percent and try and go to the league this year. That’s been his family’s and his mindset. I’m behind it 100 percent, and our staff is too. From the day he left school (to begin preparing for the combine), I’d resigned myself saying he was going. Everything I’ve been planning is that he’s staying in the draft.”"

Most NBA teams have two chances to get it right. While many are scared off, the 76ers have an expert who can interpret medical records, check diagnosis and progress, and give a qualified opinion about the risks versus the rewards. This NBA draft may be important to the Philadelphia 76ers, but it is just as important to a hopeful young man who want’s a shot at the NBA. That’s where Doctor Martin comes in.

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Doctor Martin will see you now.