Hall of Famer rips 76ers star Joel Embiid after sudden announcement

The Philadelphia 76ers have set mountainous standards this season, but the path for them toward a championship will be far from a smooth sailing. Even right from the get-go, the team is already afflicted by the proverbial injury bug, something that has become their biggest rival in recent seasons.

In fact, the team may be a bit hobbled to begin the season. Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Jared McCain are all question marks for the 76ers’ season-opener against the Bucks, potentially leaving the squad shorthanded for the time being. But that possible one-game absence isn’t the issue, at least for the foremost player mentioned.

Embiid recently shocked everyone after spilling the beans on his injury management moving forward, concluding that he probably will never play in back-to-backs for the rest of his career.

Kevin Garnett rips 76ers, Joel Embiid after bold announcement

Kevin Garnett, one to never shy away from the spotlight even after retiring almost a decade ago, blasted Embiid’s earlier pronouncement that he will most likely sit out back-to-backs moving forward.

Eighty-two games, man. This is what the f--king job calls for. You're not practicing, you're not even playing a whole f--king, you don't play in the summer? … I don't want to hear that s--t, man. I don't want to hear none of that s--t. Motherf--ker can sit out of back-to-backs?"

Garnett probably resonates with the common fan, in all honesty. Embiid is still one of the best basketball players in the planet, and him limiting his appearances outright surely sounds like a disservice, at least from an audience’s perspective.

Having said that, the 76ers are not in the business of heeding to outside calls and moans. To win a championship and actually prolong that window to contend, the franchise has to be more prudent than it was in the past, starting with Embiid and how they have managed and are managing his load.

It’s no secret that Embiid is one of the most injury-prone stars in the NBA. He’s also not getting any younger, and with the abundance of talent on the roster, there’s little sense to keep milking him when they can decongest his burden on both ends.