The Philadelphia 76ers are just starting their campaign, but they are already dealing with a bunch of injuries. One player who is already afflicted with an injury is newcomer Dean Wade, who is currently nursing an ankle he tweaked during their final preseason game against the Celtics, leaving the game in the first half. Well, the timing of his injury cannot possibly get any worse considering how banged up the team already is.
For now, Wade is listed as questionable ahead of the team's opening night matinee against the Knicks. But even if he ends up becoming available for their first game, he will be playing while injured, which is something that could sink the team early on despite their star-studded and newly revamped core. After all, the new forward is set to shoulder an important role.
Dean Wade gets banged up at the worst possible time for the 76ers
Wade's sheer versatility on both ends of the floor is of utmost importance for the 76ers. Now that they are currently dealing with injuries to their backup big men, the coaching staff will be even more hampered by the limited availability of Wade, who is perfectly capable of playing in spurts as a nominal, small-ball center.
Now, the team is staring at a very flimsy depth at the center position. Ironically, it is Joel Embiid who is probably the healthiest among the current crop of big men on the roster, and that is definitely not something to be glad about in the grand scheme of things.
Wade's main role this season is to serve as the glue guy who can be a plug-and-play piece for the 76ers with his ability to swing the tide of a game without needing to score the rock. The team badly needs more players like him, and his potential absence or limited availability could force the 76ers to rely on less secure options like Justin Edwards.
The 76ers badly need to mount a strong start to the regular season, and that goal is already looking considerably harder now that the team is lacking playable bodies, especially in the frontcourt. As such, it certainly does not help that Dean Wade, one of the stable hands on the roster, is likewise banged up this early. Now, they are set to cross arms with the Knicks in a statement game to open their campaign. Hopefully, the highly coveted forward can recover just in time to help the team in the less glamorous ends of the floor.
Add us as a preferred source on Google