Daryl Morey swung for the fences this summer time, including Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers roster. The hope was that George may elevate Nick Nurse’s group into championship competition. On paper, the Sixers had an elite participant on the guard, wing and large positions.
Nevertheless, George’s addition did not come with out danger. Each he and Joel Embiid have struggled for availability in recent times. Due to this fact, there was no assure Nurse would have a fully healthy roster accessible for a big time period. Sadly for Sixers followers, that concern has rapidly change into a actuality.
Embiid has performed simply 13 video games this season. He has been coping with a string of accidents, which have sidelined him because the Sixers have stumbled into the eleventh seed within the Japanese Convention. Proper now, there isn’t any assure Philadelphia will make the playoffs, not to mention contend for a championship.
On Friday, the Sixers introduced Embiid, who has missed the final six video games, could be sidelined for another seven to 10 days. He reportedly skilled swelling in his knee after a exercise session. His absence may now prolong near the All-Star break.
To make issues worse, George has but to succeed in the extent required of him. He is averaging 17.2 factors, 5.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists, however these numbers aren’t ok, particularly with out Embiid on the court docket to assist cowl up the gaps.
Dropping Embiid for an additional week or extra is a hammer blow for the Sixers. Their means to safe postseason basketball is slipping away with every passing defeat. Moreover, Nurse’s ideally suited beginning 5 have not had sufficient time collectively — they aren’t forming championship habits.
Philadelphia’s struggles this season aren’t what Morey would have envisioned after a powerful summer time of recruitment. Nonetheless, the danger was clear to everybody. Embiid is always going to be an injury concern, and that drastically lowers the Sixers’ championship ceiling, seemingly for the whole lot of his time with the franchise.
