Philadelphia 76ers fans have become hopeful as of late with Joel Embiid looking like he is in great playing shape as can be gleaned from the social media team’s two batches of practice clips and images released not too long ago. All of a sudden, it seemed like he was primed to return much earlier this season, with an outside chance of sniffing hardwood action this preseason.
Embiid himself confirmed that he has, in fact, gotten in better shape over the summer. In fact, the 76ers not officially have him as weighing 270 pounds, meaning that he had shed at least 10 pounds from last season. That alone is an indication that the All-Star is gearing up for what should be more mileage from him during the upcoming year, right?
Well, before fans should completely get theirs hopes up, they should take into consideration the fact that even at this juncture, both him and the coaching staff have not given an actual timeline as to when he could return on the floor. In reality, we are all just guessing, and his status for the opening tip remains to be determined.
Embiid said that him and the team are still feeling things out on a day to day basis, that they will be listening to his body moving forward. Sound familiar? Well, it is nothing different from the vague motherhood statements the team has dished out in the last couple of years.
76ers fans have to temper their expectations with Joel Embiid
Those people who have abruptly bloated their expectations for Embiid’s availability next season and really, moving forward, should hold their horses. The superstar, despite appearing to be in really great condition to play more games next season, has a pretty low bar to clear in that regard, having only played 19 outings in the previous campaign.
Embiid, after all, made it pretty clear that he still has “boxes to check” before het officially gets back on the floor. Those are the exact same euphemisms that the team and his representations have given out to conceal the fact that he will never be back to being 100 percent healthy again, and that drastic adjustments will have to be made to preserve his body as much as possible.
Now, the 76ers and Embiid have signaled that his role will be different next season, but without a more solid plan that is not couched in total mystery, the situation will remain very difficult to properly gauge.
Peanut gallery-ish or not, the Philadelphia 76ers have to put a more comprehensive plan in place to secure Joel Embiid’s presence. The team is not going anywhere without him, and from the looks of it, they are still somehow playing it safe optics-wise with their superstar.