ESPN Reporter Reveals Philly’s Biggest Problem With Joel Embiid as Teammates Confirm Stance on 76ers Star

With a chronic knee injury to Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers have had a disastrous start to their season so far. The MVP-caliber center has missed more than half of the games. In addition, The Process’ latest injury has extended his time on the sidelines by one week. Likewise, it means more doom for the franchise. However, that may not be the gravest issue this season.

Before the knee injury, Joel Embiid missed six straight games due to a left foot sprain. That injury occurred during the Christmas Day game. However, even when out of action, Embiid’s knee saw a swelling ruling him out for another 7-10 days. According to Brian Windhorst, that’s where the 76ers’ biggest problem lies.

“The biggest problem is why is Joel Embiid’s knee swelling. That’s the biggest problem because he didn’t get hurt. Like all these other time we have seen him have these bad falls. Some of them have been freak injuries. But we saw him get hurt. He won the Olympic gold medal, took some time off. Then when he went to go start playing basketball again a month or so later and ramping back up, it’s not worked,” Windy noted on Hoops Collective.

Embiid’s knee injury has bothered him over the past few seasons. And in terms of recovery, he and Philly have tried patience. The former MVP spent time on the sidelines decided to wear a knee brace, and even avoided playing back-to-back games. But still, without any high-intensity basketball, his injury has reoccurred once again.

It seems that the reasons are unclear. However, Tim McMahon believes that given the nature of the ailment, it could possibly be something that could hamper Joel Embiid for the remainder of his career. For the Philadelphia 76ers, that would be the worst possible outcome. For Embiid, it’s frustrating considering the measures taken to avoid such circumstances.

But even Embiid seems helpless here.

Joel Embiid has the love and support of his teammates

Aside from Embiid, the ones suffering are the Philadelphia 76ers. In particular, his teammates. The media has been on a swirl criticizing the dominant center’s inability to stay healthy. With him out, the Sixers are in the bottom pool of the East. However, that hasn’t stopped his teammates from recognizing his efforts.

While on Paul George’s podcast, guest Andre Drummond shared his sympathy for the Sixers talisman. Having spent two seasons with The Process, the rebounding expert acknowledged his incredible work ethic and preparations.

“He works very hard. When he is able and capable of playing, he’s one of the most hard-working people. He doesn’t necessarily think he needs to get his body right with his time to play. But some of these things are out of his control. He tries to do the best that he can when he can,” said Drummond on Podcast P.

In the light of sharing positivity, even Paul George chimed in. Having dealt with a myriad of injuries himself, George understands the trauma an individual faces. Moreover, rather than focusing on things out of Embiid’s control, he rained praises about just how formidable the 76ers center truly is.

“He’s really a guard in a big mans body. He has the footwork, he has the guard cadence when it comes to pull-ups and hesis and euros. H has all of that. But then he is also like a force from a pot standpoint. He also has the power to punish you and back you down, put you away, put you under the basket, put you in the basket… When he says trust the process it was really a process he was and he has kinda picked up every piece that will make him who Joel is now. I have played with a lot of talented players. He’s up there as one of the most talented players I have played with,” George said about Joel Embiid.

No matter how difficult or swarmed by controversy, it’s clear that the Philadelphia 76ers are rallying behind Joel Embiid. And for the basketball purists, will hope that the skillful big man recovers and can have a long career ahead of him.