There's a possibility that third overall pick and new Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will miss the entire season.
Still, Philly management is not worried at all according to ESPN. After all, last year's draftee Nerlens Noel didn't suit up for the 2013-14 season.
Team president and GM Sam Hinkie said that the foot injury that befell Embiid could be taken as a break for the team, because Cleveland and Milwaukee elected to pass up on the young center. "I sniffed opportunity. The moment he got hurt, we thought we might get him. We might be just the organization with just the set of owners, and we might be the one to do it."
Hinkie hinted that they might take the Noels route for Embiid. Noels, the defensive monster for Kentucky, wanted to play at the end of the season. But the Sixers refused to give in. There's a chance that Embiid, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot, could also be sidelined for eight months.
"We'll focus on the long-term health of the player," said Hinkie.
The Sixers have been very patient with their rebuilding. Last year, the team only won 19 games in the weak Eastern Conference. But coach Brett Brown credits their fans for being patient and understanding. "It's not even close to demoralizing," he said.
The 7-foot Embiid was widely projected to become the top pick this season until he underwent surgery for a foot injury. As a freshman in Kansas, he averaged 11 points and 8 rebounds and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year .
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