Philadelphia 76ers bet NBA centers reemerge in importance

CAMDEN,NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Jahlil Okafor
CAMDEN,NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Jahlil Okafor /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: Joel Embiid of the World Team gets interviewed by Rick Fox during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: Joel Embiid of the World Team gets interviewed by Rick Fox during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Million dollar question

The decline of NBA centers was not just a three-point shot. It was the health of the big men.  Yao Ming, Ralph Sampson, Bill Walton, and more were all promising NBA superstars whose careers were cut short due to injuries.

And so far, the Philadelphia 76ers centers of Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid are following that NBA tradition of injuries. In fact, the Philadelphia 76ers, despite the reputation of a glut of big men, seldom had to choose among those three.  At least one or more had been injured over the past four seasons. So anyone who claims the 76ers have an injury issue is correct. Or are they?

Vision of a championship team

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a winning formula on the back of superstar LeBron James. The Golden State Warriors have a winning formula on the backs of the Splash Brothers. If any NBA wants to win a championship using either formula, they have to understand they are years behind.

So, to win, a team must carve its own path to the top. Right now, the least traveled path to post season is through the NBA center.  But can this Philadelphia 76ers team shed the reputation of injury-prone? Can this team solve the durability enigma of the NBA center?  I believe they can.  While the team built a roster, and a training facility, they were also quite busy building a database of do’s and don’ts for NBA big men. Now, it’s time to put the research to the practical field trials.

Next: New rest rules should help Embiid, Simmons play more games

It takes more to win an NBA championship than just a squad of good athletes. On one hand, It takes a team. On the other hand, It takes a scheme. But most of all, it takes a dream.  The city of Philadelphia have all three. Now, let’s start the long haul to hoisting that trophy.