Since Joel Embiid's emphatic arrival into the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers have placed all their bets on a championship on his shoulders. The heavy burden he has carried has taken a relentless toll on his body. Now, with the acquisition of LeBron James to enhance the Sixers' revamped roster, the legendary center can afford to load-manage his way into a postseason campaign.
The 76ers have relied too heavily on Embiid over the years
Time and time again, Embiid has put his body on the line for this organization. The 32-year-old has battled his way through various knee injuries, foot injuries, and even Bell's palsy. However, this warrior-like attitude has taken its toll over the years, and his availability for selection has been scarce.
Despite being limited to 96 regular-season games over the last three campaigns, the franchise has continued to pin its hopes on Embiid inspiring his teammates to a championship. Every decision they have made, every transaction they have sanctioned, and every offensive blueprint they have created has centered around their superstar.
It's easy to understand this decision-making when looking through the prism of analytics. Even with his devastating injury record, Embiid has consistently dominated the opposition's defenses and dragged his teammates to victory on countless occasions.
Over 490 career games, Embiid has averaged 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, while shooting 50 percent from the floor. His defensive capabilities are now limited due to his health problems, but his outrageous offensive attributes still make him one of the elite centers in the NBA -- and now, he will have the luxury of doing it when it matters.
Embiid must be protected for the postseason
With the roster the Philadelphia 76ers now boast, making the playoffs shouldn't be a discussion. The franchise must have all eyes set on the NBA Finals -- at the very least. For this to happen, the Sixers need their entire rotation at full health, especially Joel Embiid.
In seasons past, Embiid has been hurled into action even when he was a far cry away from full fitness. And in the defense of 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, he hasn't been left with much choice. Without Embiid, Philadelphia imploded and barely looked like a team capable of clinching a spot in the Play-In Tournament. This should no longer be the case.
Under Mike Gansey, the 76ers have changed their recruitment strategy. The signings of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown have shown that the organization is now only willing to acquire players with versatility and star power. Versatility adds depth, and depth creates an opportunity for players to be rested at the right moments.
Joel Embiid has been Philadelphia's franchise cornerstone for a significant period of time. His importance to the franchise has created a landscape in which he can't afford to be anything less than perfect. Now, with superstars like LeBron James alongside him, Embiid can ease his way through the season and save his best minutes for a deep playoff run.
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