Cubbies2120 wrote:POTENTIAL GAMES AT ELEVATION (UTAH, DENVER) FOR EMBIID: 20
GAMES PLAYED AT ELEVATION (UTAH, DENVER) FOR EMBIID: 5
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We can split this into two different categories:
Category 1: Extended injury absence (This is once of the annual injuries where he's out for a few weeks)
Category 2: Selective sitting (This is where a game is selected to 'rest', where he played both the game prior AND the game after this strategic rest session)
Category 2, Exhibit A:
Embiid plays @Portland, plays 34 minutes
Rest Day
Embiid skips @Denver
Embiid plays next game
Dodge Count: 1
Category 2, Exhibit B:
Embiid plays @San Antonio, plays 37 minutes
TWO Rest Days
Embiid skips @Denver
TWO Rest Days
Embiid plays next game
Dodge Count: 2
Category 2, Exhibit C:
Embiid plays @Sacramento, plays 29 minutes
TWO Rest Days
Embiid skips @Utah
Embiid plays next game
Dodge Count: 3
Category 2, Exhibit D:
Embiid plays @Indiana, plays 28minutes
THREE Rest Days
Embiid skips @Utah
Rest Day
Embiid plays next game
Dodge Count: 4
Category 2, Exhibit E:
Embiid plays @Phoenix, plays 36 minutes
Rest Day
Embiid skips @Utah
Rest Day
Embiid plays next game
Dodge Count: 5
He missed 25% of all elevation games with Category 2 (remember, STRATEGIC REST DAYS - meaning he could have selected the game prior or after to do it).
Just COINCIDENTALLY these were the elevation games. And it has nothing to do with his horrible play at elevation.
So, this is something I've been thinking about lately, and I'm glad you enumerated it as you did.
This really might be a Sickle Cell Disease-related thing, in which case it might actually be dangerous for Embiid to go play at high elevation. If this is the case, I'd like to think he, his team, and the league would be open and honest about the situation - it really isn't anyone's fault - but it's possible that in the name of caution they're just trying to keep it quiet. If there's a possibility that Embiid will be at a massive disadvantage in some cities for potential playoff series, it's understandable why some may want to keep the information from getting used against Embiid's team.
I think we're all so used to simply evaluating guys averaged out over all situations as best we can, but a disease like this could lead to a situation where Player A is the best player in the world at lower altitudes, but literally unable to play at higher altitudes.
To be clear, I'm no medical expert, and I certainly hope that Embiid isn't getting pushed to do something that's dangerous for him by people who see him failing to do it as a moral failing.
