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Embiid’s Season-Ending Shutdown: A Philadelphia Crisis
The Philadelphia 76ers finally did what was obviously necessary Friday, shutting down Joel Embiid for the remainder of the season. Embiid, who played just 19 games, has been dealing with an injured left knee, which dramatically limited his availability and effectiveness.
Embiid, who’ll turn 31 on March 16, has frequently been a topic within the NBA stratosphere given his seemingly endless string of injuries, to the point where even Sixers fans are wondering if it’s time for the organization to make a change. Joel Embiid played 19 games this season. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Knee Injury That Won’t Quit: Examining Embiid’s Recent Struggles
Reviewing Embiid’s injury history and its impact on his availability.
Embiid’s Injury History and Its Impact on Availability
Embiid missed his first two seasons with injuries, has never played more than 70 games in a season, played 39 games last year and is often limited by various injuries during the playoffs. However, a major change is much easier said than done.
Because the seven-time All-Star is on such a substantial contract, it’d be extremely difficult for the Sixers to even find a taker for the No. 3 overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft. The 7-foot center signed a contract extension last September for three years and $193 million, meaning he’s guaranteed for the next four years after the conclusion of this season.
A Franchise Player in Decline? Assessing Embiid’s Future
Evaluating Embiid’s on-court performance this season compared to his MVP-caliber years.
Those numbers are well below the 34.7 points, 11 rebounds and 1.7 blocks he averaged in 2023-24, albeit in 39 games due to a torn meniscus. Embiid acknowledged that he probably didn’t allow himself enough time to recover from surgery on that injury before playing in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Embiid, 30, is two seasons removed from winning NBA MVP, averaging 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Simmons will now join his third team in the league after tumultuous stints in Philadelphia, Brooklyn Ben Simmons is ready for another chance.
The Sixers’ Dilemma: Embiid’s Mega-Contract and a Roster in Limbo
The $193 Million Question: The Immense Financial Burden of Embiid’s Contract
The Financial Implications of Embiid’s Contract Extension
The 7-foot center signed a contract extension last September for three years and $193 million, meaning he’s guaranteed for the next four years after the conclusion of this season. Another question that looms large, assuming Embiid sticks around, is whether the Sixers can even build around him anymore and what type of production they can expect out of him.
Yes, Embiid is large and enormously skilled. He can more than likely sleepwalk to 20 points per game on decent efficiency, as he’s a master of getting to the free-throw line and even has a reliable outside shot. Defensively, the days of him guarding in space are likely over.
It would seem likely that the big man is going to primarily play drop coverage, thus focusing on rim protection. However, a major change is much easier said than done.
Because the seven-time All-Star is on such a substantial contract, it’d be extremely difficult for the Sixers to even find a taker for the No. 3 overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Building a Winning Team Around an Injury-Prone Superstar: A Challenging Task
The Sixers’ Current Roster Construction and Its Limitations
The 76ers are slogging through a 20-38 season that will likely end without a playoff berth. After signing Paul George in free agency, Philadelphia was viewed as a challenger to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference and a possible NBA championship contender.
However, limited to 19 games because of injuries, injury management and suspension, Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks this season. Those numbers are well below the 34.7 points, 11 rebounds and 1.7 blocks he averaged in 2023-24, albeit in 39 games due to a torn meniscus.
Ben Simmons’ New Beginning: Can a Fresh Start Revitalize his Career?
A New Home for Simmons: Analyzing the Clippers as a Potential Career Revitalizer
The Clippers’ Team Composition and Simmons’ Fit
The Clippers struck a deal with Simmons, who reached a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets, last week. “Making the decision to come here, I felt wanted,” Simmons said, via the Los Angeles Times.
Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick out of LSU in the 2016 NBA Draft, but he never really developed into the superstar that many expected him to be once landing in the league.
He’s dealt with various injuries, and then held out of the 2021-22 campaign due to injuries, mental health concerns and a trade demand. That made for a very chaotic stretch with the 76ers, who finally sent him to Brooklyn.
Simmons struggled to stay on the court with the Nets, however, and he went down with a back injury that eventually needed surgery.
He had another surgery on his back last season, too. He never played in more than 42 games in his three seasons with the team.
Simmons, though, said he’s now healthy and ready to put that behind him. “[It’s] giving someone a fresh start,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said, via the Los Angeles Times.
“It’s always good to get a fresh start and start over. Not worry about the past and what you’ve done in the past. Get to a new place where you know you’re welcome.”
The Back Injury’s Legacy: Can Simmons Overcome His Past Physical Limitations?
The Impact of Simmons’ Back Injuries on His Playing Style and On-Court Performance
Simmons has averaged 6.2 points and 6.9 assists this season in 33 games with the Nets, while being in and out of the lineup all season. He will now get to team up with the Clippers, who hold a 29-23 record and are competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden leading the way.
However, considering his history, the team is sure to monitor his health going forward and be cautious while ramping him up.
He’s not been cleared for back-to-back nights, either.
Regardless of how it goes or how big of a role he takes with the team, Simmons is just excited to get to have a shot at moving on from the turbulence that came with his time with both the 76ers and the Nets.
Conclusion
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