Daryl Morey swung for the fences this summer season, including Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers roster. The hope was that George may elevate Nick Nurse’s workforce 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 threat. 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 obtainable for a big time frame. Sadly for Sixers followers, that concern has shortly turn out to be 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 Jap Convention. Proper now, there is no 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, can be sidelined for another seven to 10 days. He reportedly skilled swelling in his knee after a exercise session. His absence may now lengthen near the All-Star break.
To make issues worse, George has but to achieve the extent required of him. He is averaging 17.2 factors, 5.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists, however these numbers aren’t adequate, particularly with out Embiid on the courtroom to assist cowl up the gaps.
Dropping Embiid for one more week or extra is a hammer blow for the Sixers. Their capability to safe postseason basketball is slipping away with every passing defeat. Moreover, Nurse’s perfect 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 season of recruitment. Nonetheless, the chance was clear to everybody. Embiid is always going to be an injury concern, and that drastically lowers the Sixers’ championship ceiling, possible for the whole thing of his time with the franchise.
