According to NBA rumors and reports, the Philadelphia 76ers are seeking a large amount of opinions on Joel Embiid‘s torn meniscus.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid had an incredible season for a player that appeared in just 31 games. Embiid, the third overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft, didn’t play a single game in either of his first two seasons in the NBA due to issues that arose from a broken navicular bone in his foot.
While the foot didn’t come up in any issues this season, (thank God) Embiid was ruled out for the entire year recently due to his “slightly torn meniscus” being worse than the team initially thought. So, now the question becomes, what do they do about it?
Each case is different, and some of these injuries simply need to have time to heal and some physical therapy. The aggressiveness the Sixers are taking while looking at options, though, is a little alarming.
Earlier this week, Embiid linked up with the Sixers in Los Angeles (they had a back-to-back at the Staples Center) to be with the team, but also to see more doctors about his knee.
At Sixers practice on Thursday, Bob Cooney reported that Embiid stayed over in California with head team doctor David Martin. They are there to see more specialists about his injury.
Embiid stayed out west and is in San Diego with Dr. David Martin to see more specialists about his knee.
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) March 16, 2017
Paul Hudrick of CSN Philly said that a surgery is being discussed, but the timetable for a final decision on that is nonexistent (go figure, this team never gives timetables).
No timetable on Joel Embiid's decision for surgery. Team trying to get as many opinions as possible #Sixers
— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) March 16, 2017
According to NJ.com, Embiid and Martin are attending a convention of orthopedic surgeons to get more opinions.
"The team returned to practice Thursday, but Embiid remained on the West Coast. It was announced that he is in San Diego with Dr. David Martin to see more specialists about the knee. Apparently, a convention of orthopedic surgeons is happening this week in San Diego and the team decided it would be beneficial for Embiid and Martin to be there."
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website, the convention goes through March 18, and is the “largest exhibition of orthopedic products,” as well.
I can see it now. Embiid and Martin prowling the floor of the busy convention. Martin making doctor small talk with big-name surgeons, and closing his conversation with, “while I have you here, can I have your opinion on this knee?”
Next: 5 Reasons Embiid is Still Rookie of the Year
The visits over on the West Coast and the initiative from the Sixers to seek out all these opinions is really alarming to some. For some, it seems like this injury is a bigger deal than the Sixers want to admit. Hopefully, however, it’s just that they want to be careful and make the best possible decision for the long-term health of Embiid.