The Philadelphia 76ers can’t trust Joel Embiid to stay healthy, but he is sucking fans back in by looking slim and ready as training camp approaches. Fans know Embiid is one of the best players in the world at his peak. He won MVP in 2023, but has played just 58 regular-season games since. Some are starting to believe this is the year again, but at some point, you are Charlie Brown and Embiid’s health is the infamous football.
Fans can’t realistically expect the 31-year-old to play more than 50 games. He will get hurt and miss time. Sixers supporters thinking he is going to win MVP or lead the franchise on a deep playoff run are setting themselves up for disappointment.
The 76ers are locked in with Embiid through 2029 after last year’s disastrous extension. It will be a thorn in the franchise’s side for years to come. Fans will keep thinking what-if, but Embiid can’t do it. It is fun to dream. His play will be impossible to ignore if he puts up monster numbers on opening night, but everyone knows how this movie ends.
Joel Embiid is getting 76ers fans excited again
Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game over 19 contests last season. He was never fully healthy, but still managed to put up All-NBA numbers. Fans have already seen Embiid working out without a knee brace and looking in shape. It is easy to imagine what a healthy Embiid can do, but it is unrealistic to expect it.
Embiid may drop 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists on opening night, but will he play in game two? The 76ers have two injury-prone max-salary superstars on their roster. Fans can’t realistically expect them to be a title contender. There are too many ifs, which always turn into headaches for Philly.
It doesn’t matter how good Embiid looks now or in the preseason. Fans can’t get sucked in. It may be difficult, but this is the ultimate stay away. Embiid has missed two full seasons in 11 years in the NBA. Even removing those, he has never played more than 68 games and averages just 50.2 per year. The 31-year-old will miss significant time and will likely be dealing with something in the playoffs. It is the painful reality at this point.
Don’t fall for what you see over the next couple of weeks. Reports will be positive, and Embiid will look great, but he can’t be trusted. Fans have fallen into this trap too many times. They must resist the urge and stay grounded in reality.
The Philadelphia 76ers know their shot at serious contention rests with Joel Embiid. It is terrifying. Expect the franchise to do everything they can to keep him on the floor, but it hasn’t worked yet. After 11 years, it is safe to assume it sadly never will.