The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: 5 theories on Joel Embiid’s health

By Jason Blevins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts at the end of the game against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on January 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts at the end of the game against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on January 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington and center Joel Embiid. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Conclusion

Colangelo and the team have consistently said that the doctors will dictate the timeline and health will be the primary factor. This is simply cover for their business decision, in my view. No doctor would ever recommend a 7-foot-2, 270 pound man play a full court contact sport and run and jump with the ferocity of the NBA game. If you leave it up to a doctor they will keep any player in bubble wrap.

No one is asking about Amir Johnson’s ankles, and I’m sure the doctors probably see more cause for concern there. The simple fact is that Amir is not as critical to the future and therefore the team is more willing to accept the risk of playing him early and often.

The careful approach that the Philadelphia 76ers are taking with Embiid does not mean they don’t see him as the future of the franchise. In fact, it5  says exactly the opposite. If they didn’t still have their future hopes and dreams invested in him they would just let him play as much and for as long as he could and move on when he broke down.

The careful approach they take means they do trust the process, but they recognize the uncertainty and are not willing to take even the smallest risks unless the benefit is immediately evident.

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My guess is they view him as someone they can get 40-60 games from and want to keep him fresh for the playoffs. They are conserving him as a precious human resource and will only expend it as needed before the playoffs.