The Sixer Sense
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Joel Embiid should play back-to-backs

By Christopher Kline

WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 18: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 18, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 18: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 18, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With Joel Embiid fighting off conditioning issues — not injury — it’s time for the Philadelphia 76ers to give him some time in back-to-backs.

As the Philadelphia 76ers gear up for their first back-to-back of the season, the primary question surrounding the team is whether or not Joel Embiid will see the court in both games. He was held out of back-to-backs entirely last season, and early indications seemed to suggest that trend would hold true to begin this season.

After spending more time than expected on the court in the Sixers’ debut, however, there’s a chance Embiid’s restrictions are loosening up. They’re also based around conditioning — not health.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid was vocally upset with Brett Brown’s initial proposition for a minutes restriction in the teens, saying that he’d speak with the team and they “got to listen to [him].” The 7-foot-2 Cameroonian ended up on the court for 26 minutes Wednesday night, which was followed by his comments on conditioning.

Assuming his knee is fully healthy and conditioning is the only issue, there’s little reason not to give Embiid some time in back-to-backs moving forward.

That doesn’t mean he needs to carry a full load. Embiid added circa 15 pounds this summer, putting him up towards 285 pounds in total. That’s a lot of weight to work off for someone his size, and he said himself that he’d sit whenever he’s tired. Even if he is kept in the teens for the second game, though, there doesn’t seem to be any inherent risk in playing him two nights in a row.

Part of this is overprotection on the Sixers’ part, which is fully understandable. Embiid is a generational talent who they only had on the court for 31 games through his first three seasons. He’s also reckless at times, which heightens some already-significant concerns.

Embiid had this to say on how he felt Thursday afternoon:

"“Yesterday I played, and my body feels great today. My knee feels amazing. So I feel like if I have to play today, I would play depending on how I feel. But I feel like I’m ready.” — Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer"

While the natural response is to continue capping Embiid’s minutes, it’s time to start (gradually) acclimating him to a fuller workload. He’s their best player, and this team is dramatically better when Embiid is on the floor as opposed to on the bench. That bridge has to be crossed eventually, and there’s not much reason to continue putting it off if he’s operating at full health.

Next: 5 noteworthy things from the Sixers' opening night loss

Conditioning shouldn’t be taken lightly, but it’s a long term process. He can play under a minutes restriction to whatever extent Brown dubs necessary, and that’s fully within reason. We should see Embiid playing tonight against Boston and Saturday night against Toronto, though. Trust The Process and let it play out.