Joel Embiid could be the piece that eventually propels the improving Philadelphia 76ers to respectability. It seems all but set in stone, though, that we won’t get the chance to find out until next season.
Despite maintaining all year long that there was a chance the injured rookie would play in 2014-2015, Brett Brown basically confirmed the long-held assumption that Embiid would sit-out his initial NBA campaign. Via CSNPhilly.com’s Dei Lynam, the Sixers’ coach said the mega-talented seven-footer’s prize for months of arduous rehabilitation and workouts would be appearing in July’s Summer League. And Embiid seems primed to make a great first impression, too.
“You see him drenched in sweat and shirtless. They are all fantastic signs that his needle is clearly pointing in the right direction,” Brown said. “We are trying to set the stage for a great summer. He sees his reward being the summer league and trying to get ready for playing basketball again. He is headed in the right direction.”
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“He is feeling better without a doubt,” Brown said. “He is ticking boxes with regards to increased time on the court and reduced weight.”
If Embiid indeed doesn’t play until Summer League, his path would directly mirror that of current rookie standout Nerlens Noel. The hyper-disruptive big man sat-out his first full year with Philly after suffering a torn ACL at Kentucky, making his professional debut in Las Vegas last July.
Of more important note than confirmation of Embiid’s recovery timeline is that he’s healthy and getting into shape. It was only January when reports surfaced that the Kansas product had ballooned to 300 pounds, and just a couple weeks ago that he experienced additional soreness in his surgically repaired foot.
And with news that Embiid is feeling good and playing well, now comes anticipation of his first game action since last winter – and we can’t wait to watch him splash jumpers and throw down dunks in a few months’ time.
