Sixers Offseason Thread Part 5

[PhillyFan11]

Do we feel like it's code red with Embiid?

Hoping its his usual slow start, but I can't shake the feeling that his knee isn't right. Don't know what to think.

I think the FIBA style of play just doesn’t suit him. Especially if he’s not getting the foul calls he benefits from in the NBA.

[Stanford]

Especially if he’s not getting the foul calls he benefits from in the NBA.

Which he also won't get in the NBA playoffs.

[mjkvol]

I wasn't a fan of Embiid playing in the Olympics right from the start, and as much as I get the argument by some that the early work is a way of getting him in game shape sooner, I'm not sure I buy it. Just my opinion, but more than anything he needed a summer of losing about 20-30 lbs., working on his passing and rebounding position, and arriving for camp lean and mean.

[eyeatoma]

Do we feel like it's code red with Embiid?

Hoping its his usual slow start, but I can't shake the feeling that his knee isn't right. Don't know what to think.

I was excited for the season a week ago. This Team USA stuff has bummed me out.

Yeah can't get this feeling out of my head.

[Sixersftw]

Do we feel like it's code red with Embiid?

Hoping its his usual slow start, but I can't shake the feeling that his knee isn't right. Don't know what to think.

I feel like Embiid generally starts slow coming out of summer, which drives me crazy, but i'm not too worried yet.

Isn't it usually like game 10 or so every year where he turns into the best player in the league? He definitely plays himself into shape. I feel like there's a concern troll thread on the GB every year that ends up looking real dumb.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I was not a fan of him doing this. Rehabbing his knee and getting into basketball shape, maybe working on some new things should have been his on goal this offseason. I understand that he wants this experience, but the timing was not there.

[Covi_Marsh]

Knee could still be bothering him. Looks better than the playoff series tho. Could also be pressing. Playing with other stars and touches are limited. He operates at his best at the FT line where he can shoot middies or blow past his defender. It gets him going. With USA he’s more in the post or 3 point line.

I do like that the ball doesn’t stick with him. Making solid passes and finding open men out of double teams. Against Serbia I saw a lot of off ball movement picking Curry open for wide open 3s. Nurse definitely had to incorporate that this season.

[TYO23]

Cosign what that poster earlier mentioned. I really wish he would lock in and shed around 20 or so pounds. Obviously the knee plays a part but he just looks like he’s laboring out there.

[eyeatoma]

At this point it's beyond me why he hasn't tried to lose weight. I guess you can say that to a lot of players, but it would be such a benefit to him. His injury prone body, might not be injury prone if he just lost weight. Maybe 10-15 lbs more than his Kansas playing days would be ideal.

[Jailblazers7]

We haven't even made it to the Olympics yet so I’m not gonna freak out. He’s a notorious slow starter that has never played FIBA basketball & Team USA always has kinks to work out from throwing this much talent together last minute. I would love if he stopped grifting & used the offseason to drop weight but at this point I’ve accepted that those things are not going to happen.

I still think this experience is a good thing. He will learn to play a different style, observe how excellent leaders like Lebron/Steph operate, and get in some competitive basketball during a period where he’d normally be crossing up cones with Drew Hanlen. At minimum, he gets a nice serving of humble pie & comes hope with the realization that he has serious work to do before becoming a champion.

[Mik317]

yeah his play has pumped the breaks a bit.

even beyond the in shape or not stuff....I need him to realize that grifting as your first second and third option is not the wave, he also needs to be more willing to move off ball in general..

[ProcessDoctor]

Read on Twitter

Feels like Ingram would’ve almost definitely been a Sixer had we not signed PG.

[TYO23]

yeah his play has pumped the breaks a bit.

even beyond the in shape or not stuff....I need him to realize that grifting as your first second and third option is not the wave, he also needs to be more willing to move off ball in general..

I think that’s what disappoints me the most. I’m giving a pass because he is hurt..but he just doesn’t look good or anywhere near shape.

[phillynative]

I wasn't a fan of Embiid playing in the Olympics right from the start, and as much as I get the argument by some that the early work is a way of getting him in game shape sooner, I'm not sure I buy it. Just my opinion, but more than anything he needed a summer of losing about 20-30 lbs., working on his passing and rebounding position, and arriving for camp lean and mean.

I been saying this for a few seasons now. We know he will eventually play himself into game shape but It's time to try something different. He wants to play like a forward but he's injury prone and close 300 pounds. He's still a good athlete for his size but he will eventually lose a step as he continue to age. I just think the benefits to loosing weight are clear.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

We haven't even made it to the Olympics yet so I’m not gonna freak out. He’s a notorious slow starter that has never played FIBA basketball & Team USA always has kinks to work out from throwing this much talent together last minute. I would love if he stopped grifting & used the offseason to drop weight but at this point I’ve accepted that those things are not going to happen.

I still think this experience is a good thing. He will learn to play a different style, observe how excellent leaders like Lebron/Steph operate, and get in some competitive basketball during a period where he’d normally be crossing up cones with Drew Hanlen. At minimum, he gets a nice serving of humble pie & comes hope with the realization that he has serious work to do before becoming a champion.

This a is a great point that you make right. MIK followed it up with some good stuff too. He's playing with the best of the best. Take this experience and learn from it. If he's the introspective thinker that I believe him to be, then he's going to come out a better player because of all this. Of course, I didn't want him doing this because of the knee, but you've made me look at it a different way.

[Iverson Armband]

I mean, he’s won MVP, been runner up MVP multiple times, scored 70+ points, etc. What is his real incentive to drop weight and play different?

It’s not criticism because he largely escapes it by virtue of the fact that he’s the best player and there is always an even bigger choke artist than him to key in on (Simmons, Harden, maybe soon to be George). Secondly, when he plays “meh” in the playoffs (for him), people just make the excuse that he’s hurt and blame injuries instead of his play style and adjustments to playoff basketball so he doesn’t really catch any heat there either. On top of that, I’m sure the organization is scared to say anything remotely critiquing his game for fear of pissing him off.

This year is going to tell us what Joel is really made of. This is the year when it should be really clear if he cares about winning in a real way or if he’s just cool with being the regular season GOAT. He’s got a great cast and 2 other legit All Stars playing next to him. So far it doesn’t look good, but it’s still early so I’m hoping for the best.

[Covi_Marsh]

[x]

Read on Twitter

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[Covi_Marsh]

Kyle Lowry with the no trade clause

[the_process]

yeah his play has pumped the breaks a bit.

even beyond the in shape or not stuff....I need him to realize that grifting as your first second and third option is not the wave, he also needs to be more willing to move off ball in general..

[sixers hoops]

:lol: Kyle Lowry with the no trade clause

It really makes sense though. If i’m a vet at his age making the minimum, I’m not putting up with getting traded. I would just retire before getting forced somewhere.