Joel Embiid is off to an impressive start to the season for the Philadelphia 76ers. The only problem for “The Process” is that team doctors want to make sure he has enough in the tank for later in the season.
The standout center kicked a chair and was visibly angry after team doctors told him he couldn’t return to Wednesday night’s Sixers game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid was expected to play just 24 minutes but saw 27 minutes of action on the floor as the game slipped into overtime.
Still tied after a first overtime session, team doctors took him aside and said he was done. They tried to shake his hand and have him take a seat, but the 7-foot big man was obviously pleading with them to let him continue. Finally giving up, Embiid took a swing at the bench chairs with his leg, which obviously alarmed the doctors paid to keep him healthy.
Embiid had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the contest before he was pulled. The Sixers’ broadcast crew accurately described Philadelphia as in “dire straits” without Embiid on the floor. Memphis promptly pulled away in double overtime to win, 104-99. The 7-footer already made highlights in this game with a monster block, but I’m sure people will be talking about how he handled getting pulled from a close game and watching a win slip away.
All part of the, um, process. Sorry, kid.
(via CJ Fogler)
