The 76ers have a long-term plan headed up by GM Sam Hinkie that involves years of asset collection – and losing – that will finally build into an annual contender. It’s a novel concept in the NBA, but the Astros in MLB are a nice comparison.
So far though, one of the biggest assets Hinkie has collected is starting to look like he’ll be the plan’s undoing. Last season Hinkie spent the No. 3 pick on Joel Embiid, a center out of Kansas with a notable injury history. Hinkie had taken the same risk the year before with Kentucky center Nerlens Noel, but Embiid’s short tenure has been marked with red flags.
Emiid Likely To Miss Entire 2015-16 Season
Noel is back, and he’s an important player for the Sixers going forward. Embiid’s importance is now in question, after Philadelphia drafted Jahlil Okafor No. 3 overall in the 2015 Draft. Embiid hasn’t played a single second for the Sixers and is already on his second major foot surgery. On top of that, he may have contributed to the second injury, as well as a long delay in being operated on, according to Sports Illustrated.
Embiid’s work habits are seriously in doubt, and there are concerns about his “insubordination.” SI’s report cites instances in which Embiid made threats against the training staff, a lax attitude during rehab, and a haunted trip to Las Vegas.
Remember The Time Embiid Trolled LeBron?
“While Embiid was in Vegas, he was mandated to wear the walking boot in advance of the second surgery, but Embiid not only refused to wear the boot, but he carried himself as if nothing was wrong with the foot, shooting jumpers and even occasionally dunking,” SI’s Brian Geltzeiler wrote.
“These actions have given rise to the theory that Embiid actually re-broke his foot, rather than the initial injury not healing properly. It also led to Embiid having the surgery a month later than the club originally had hoped.”
The issues with Embiid, along with organizational discord about Hinkie trading away former Rookie of the Year PG Michael Carter-Williams, have Hinkie’s plan facing scrutiny. With the current roster, winning isn’t in the cards, so the onus is on Embiid to show major progress toward a return to relevance.
Otherwise, the Sixers will have endured historic losing for no reason.
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