The Sixer Sense
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The Biggest Thing Challenging Future Title Hopes is Injuries

By Owen Nelson

Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after being fouled against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after being fouled against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Biggest Thing Challenging Philadelphia 76ers Future Title Hopes is Injuries

During the tanking process, injuries have benefited the Philadelphia 76ers objectives of maximizing high draft picks. Recent injuries, however, may prove to be a massive hurdle for the 76ers to overcome on the quest to becoming  elite.

Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel suffered his first major injury on February 12, whilst playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, against the Florida Gators. Noel suffered a torn ACL with eight minutes remaining, he attempted a chase down block and landed very awkwardly on his left leg. The ACL tear caused Noel to drop to number six in the draft and subsequently missed his entire rookie season.

During Nerlens Noel’s official rookie season, 2014-15 season, he played 75 games (71 starts) and showed next to no signs of becoming an injury riddled player. Then in the 2015-16 season, Noel only managed to play 67 games (62 starts).

The injuries began in preseason where he bruised his lower back and left knee against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then almost exactly a month after these injuries, Noel missed a couple games with wrist soreness; not a major injury but another injury on top of the many other minor ones. Just over a month after the wrist injury, Noel suffered a corneal abrasion to his left eye against the Toronto Raptors.  Ironically Philadelphia native, Kyle Lowry, was the player who made contact.

On top of this, prior to the 2016-17 season, Nerlens Noel opted to have arthroscopic surgery to repair an inflamed plica in his left knee. Furthermore, Noel suffered a left abductor strain in early October. These two injuries caused Noel to miss the first month and half of the season. Noel then missed a game against the San Antonio Spurs with an upper-respiratory infection.

All of these somewhat minor injuries will eventually take its toll on Nerlens Noel. We all hope he can he will find a health and durability going forward.   We all hope that he continues to progress as a player, whether he’s with the 76ers or not come the trade deadline.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid’s injury woes started way back in March 2014. The 7-2 center suffered a lumbar stress fracture, known as spondylolysis, against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Despite this, Embiid was still the favourite to go number one to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Shortly after, in preparation for the NBA draft Embiid suffered a broken navicular bone in his right foot. This delicate injury scared off the Cavaliers as shades of Greg Oden flustered their minds.

Then came the, what seemed forever, two year wait for Cameroonian to make his 76ers debut. He didn’t disappointed, but he has played all of the season on minute restrictions. Whenever Embiid jumps to block a shot, grab a rebound or for a dunk, the hearts of 76ers fans momentarily stop.

Well, the dreaded scenario happened, Embiid suffered a left knee contusion against the Portland Trail Blazers after landing awkwardly on a dunk. He missed the next three games, then for some reason, returned against the Houston Rockets. Brett Brown said “There’s no red flags here”. After three weeks, Embiid remains on the bench.

Bodner Breaks Bad News

Derek Bodner, author at Philadelphia Magazine first reported that Embiid had suffered a torn meniscus. From Bodner’s report:

"Joel Embiid has a torn meniscus in his left knee, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. The tear was discovered after Embiid underwent an MRI following a 93-92 victory on January 20th over the Portland Trail Blazers. Embiid left the game in the third quarter with a left knee contusion after landing awkwardly following a drive to the basket.There is some thought that the torn meniscus could be a pre-existing condition which an ensuing MRI discovered, rather than caused by the fall on Jan. 20, although the two injuries being related has not been completely ruled out. The tear is a low-grade tear and is not expected to require surgical intervention. It is unclear whether the tear is contributing to the soreness and swelling which has kept Embiid out of 11 of the last 12 games, including the last 8 in a row.Embiid was ruled out of Saturday night’s game against the Miami Heat, and there is a good chance he will remain out through the All-Star break, according to a source with knowledge of the situation."

On top of this, Joel Embiid was videoed dancing shirtless at a Meek Mill concert. Rather than resting his injury, he decided to accept the offer to dance on stage. Bryan Colangelo felt Embiid “dancing was a little bit” disappointing.

Hopefully Joel Embiid can put all of this injury drama behind him and have a long, successful and healthy career.

Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor had a relatively healthy rookie season up until late February. On February 28 Okafor suffered a right shin contusion after colliding with Isaiah Canaan.  He sat after 53 games in his rookie season.  Finally, reports broke on March 11, 2016 detailing Okafor’s right knee suffering a small meniscus tear.

Okafor has only played 38 games this season, he has missed a lot due to trade talks and experimentation with lineups. However, Okafor still suffered with knee injuries, during the offseason Okafor had fallen behind on his condition because of a sore right knee. Okafor then started the season on minute restrictions, and has failed to get consistent playing time ever since. Not to mention various games, here and there, that Okafor has missed to due knee soreness or injuries from the same boat.

The way Okafor plays he needs to rely on his knees so he can continue to do his effective post spins. He’s already slow and unagile and struggles defensively, if his knees gets worse he will be an awful liability on the defensive end.

Ben Simmons

The LSU product has not  played in the NBA yet. On one hand, it’s premature to label Ben Simmons injury prone.  On the other hand, it’s disappointing as he projected to return in late January. The Philadelphia 76ers front office keeps  pushing back his return date. Will he even play this season?

Ben Simmons suffered a Jones fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during a team scrimmage. Here’s the Philadelphia 76ers statement:

"The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that forward Ben Simmons underwent successful surgery to repair an acute Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. Simmons suffered the injury when he rolled his ankle after landing on the foot of another player during a 76ers team scrimmage on September 30, 2016."

A Jones fracture is such a delicate injury, it kept Kevin Durant out for much of the 2014-15 season. Given Simmons’ size, he needs to be extra careful, a Jones fracture can be a career killing injury. But many players who have had Jones fractures have gone on to have successful careers (Brook Lopez, C.J. McCollum).

All 76ers fans hope to see Simmons play this season, but if he’s not 100 percent ready then there is absolutely no point in risking further damage that could affect Simmons’ longevity in the league.

The Verdict

The Philadelphia 76ers’ potential future successes solely relies on these four players overcoming their own injury struggles. Still,  people accuse Embiid of being Oden 2.0.  Others believe Simmons is a bust despite his never playing an NBA game.

The health of Simmons and Embiid are so important to the 76ers future. These two franchise players will be the two players who will lead the 76ers to a championship, should they get there, as long as health is on there side.