Even if Joel Embiid returns from injury, he won’t be near his best

Joel Embiid has missed the Philadelphia 76ers’ final 21 video games. He recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus. It is nonetheless unclear whether or not he’ll return to the court docket earlier than the postseason begins. 

At his pre-game news conference following the Sixers win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, head coach Nick Nurse remained optimistic that the reigning MVP might be again within the rotation.

“I feel there’s at all times levels of how these items progress,” Nurse stated. “Everybody needs to know ‘Effectively how lengthy is it going to be?” And so they give a variety due to that, as a result of everybody heals in another way. We’re simply making an attempt to take it because it comes, get him wholesome and get him again when he is able to go…I am nonetheless hoping so and fairly assured, sure.”

Having Embiid again on the court docket is crucial to the Sixers’ possibilities of success. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that he’ll return to full health. He’ll probably be on a minutes restriction all through the playoffs, and asking him to shoulder a heavy workload would danger re-aggravating the harm.  

As an alternative, the Sixers can be higher served by merely accepting that this is not going to be their season. Even with Embiid on the ground, they weren’t seen among the many real championship contenders this season. It could be sensible to let their star participant heal over the summer time and look to make a push subsequent season. That may additionally give Daryl Morey the chance to strengthen the roster. 

Philadelphia’s season bought off to the worst doable begin due to the James Harden saga. The Embiid harm has plunged them into new depths. Forcing the problem dangers long-term hurt for an unbelievable short-term achieve, regardless of how a lot Nurse needs to contend in his first season with the franchise. Typically, it is good to know once you’ve been crushed, and that is a type of instances.