“Definitely a Kludge”: Daryl Morey Questions Adam Silver & NBA’s Ill-Assorted Rule, as Joel Embiid’s Injury Trouble Adds to 76ers’ Misery

After the elimination from the first round of playoffs by the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers are currently focusing on building a new squad around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, the injuries that Joel sustained this year somehow interrupted his developed game. On top of that, the NBA devised a new rule in the 2023-24 season that mandated playing 65 games to be eligible to run for ends-of-season awards, prioritizing the regular season. But the president of basketball operations for the Sixers, Daryl Morey, does not seem to agree with it during his interaction with the media recently.

While speaking about the 65-game rule to SixersWire, Morey boldly remarked, “It’s definitely a kludge we just need to make the regular season more and more important over time.” The Sixer’s core members shared likeliness with the league’s motive. However, instead of devising a random number like 65, Daryl suggested a league to make players more serious about the regular season through different ways. Per Morey, it’s about making the season interesting for players and not mandating rules.

Looking through a different lens, the 65-rule is not so favorable to the Sixers’ veteran player, Joel Embiid. The Sixers center sustained a meniscus injury this season that required surgery, yet he led his team into the playoffs. On top of that, the Sixers’ management also contributed to his productive performance this year as they gave him rest in between the regular season games. However, the new rule that was introduced in the league might meddle with Embiid’s spectacular performance and his aim for season awards.

Paris Olympics and Beyond: What lies ahead for Joel Embiid?

After the last game against the New York Knicks, Joel Embiid was asked if he would play ahead in the Paris Olympics. Suffering from Bell’s palsy and a torn meniscus, there was only a three-word answer that Embiid could afford, “I don’t know.” Considering Embiid’s injury status in the post-season, the choice of attending the Summer Olympics will be an important decision for Embiid as well as the Sixers. However, playing alongside LeBron James and Kevin Durant might also take a toll on the Sixers center as well.

Yet Embiid expressed his wish for the US national team in the Olympics. Even the basketball operations president for the Sixers, Daryl Morey, stood in full support of Embiid’s dream since he has become an American citizen. With such favorable conditions, Embiid might have to unlock that hidden gem in himself that almost seems to keep him aloof from greatness. A kind of sloppy nature on the court, along with core conditioning, might be the missing pieces that Embiid could excel with the national basketball team.

If Joel pulls off another gear from his skillset and pops off with a better version of himself after the Summer Olympics, the Sixers will reap the fruit from Embiid’s performance. However, that goal is still two months away from Joel, and he is unsure of his dream. Will it turn out to be a boon, or will the Olympics ruin the Sixers’ championship goals?