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mksp wrote:It's Howard Eskin, who's notoriously awful and hasn't broken a story in a decade.

Even if its true, and it may be, not sure it's a big deal. Brett Brown himself said it took getting Joel back on the court to get his mind right. Kid was 19 years old and wasn't allowed to play basketball or even run. Couldn't have been easy to stay in shape.

Would it be better if he was perfect all year? Obviously.

But he looks like he's in pretty good shape at this point, so not sure how relevant it is at this point given the circumstances.

laploutocratie wrote:

mksp wrote:It's Howard Eskin, who's notoriously awful and hasn't broken a story in a decade.

Even if its true, and it may be, not sure it's a big deal. Brett Brown himself said it took getting Joel back on the court to get his mind right. Kid was 19 years old and wasn't allowed to play basketball or even run. Couldn't have been easy to stay in shape.

Would it be better if he was perfect all year? Obviously.

But he looks like he's in pretty good shape at this point, so not sure how relevant it is at this point given the circumstances.

It's more about the attitude than anything else. Rookies especially should listen to management and follow orders. You don't want a potential franchise player having problems like this from year 1.

Back in January, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inqurier wrote about the 21-year-old's poor work ethic, and a blow up with the training staff that had the team send him home from their road trip. At this point in the year, Embiid still wasn't cleared to practice as he recovered from his foot injury, and still trying to cope with the loss of his younger brother Arthur. These aren't excuses for his actions, but that's more than enough for a regular person to deal with, let alone a professional athlete constantly under the spotlight.

Brett Brown admitted earlier this week that the Cameroonian big man had been difficult at times, but turned a corner once he was able to get on the court. CSN Philly's Dei Lynam has more:

"When he started going to the court, his world changed," Brown said. "He had his spirit again, and things got a little bit easier. I don't begrudge Joel or Nerlens — they're 20-year olds. It is my job to coach them and build a culture. That is what we experienced this year, but we will be better off for it, like we saw with Nerlens, when [Embiid] is a playing member of the Philadelphia 76ers."

Mik317 wrote:19 year old kid who is transitioning to the NBA just lost his bro and is unable to even play or get on the court. All he can do is running very slightly on a treadmill....and you are telling me he ditched a few and rebeled a little? NOOOOOOOO WAAAAAYYY.

Noel went through the same motions. Rehab isn't fun. You wish it didn't happen at all but not a big deal. Once he was able to actually get on the floor, he worked hard by all accounts. it was the push he needed.

But no of course this means Hinkie gonna Hink and trade him now of course.

mksp wrote:It's Howard Eskin, who's notoriously awful and hasn't broken a story in a decade.

Even if its true, and it may be, not sure it's a big deal. Brett Brown himself said it took getting Joel back on the court to get his mind right. Kid was 19 years old and wasn't allowed to play basketball or even run. Couldn't have been easy to stay in shape.

Would it be better if he was perfect all year? Obviously.

But he looks like he's in pretty good shape at this point, so not sure how relevant it is at this point given the circumstances.

Domejandro wrote:

Mik317 wrote:19 year old kid who is transitioning to the NBA just lost his bro and is unable to even play or get on the court. All he can do is running very slightly on a treadmill....and you are telling me he ditched a few and rebeled a little? NOOOOOOOO WAAAAAYYY.

Noel went through the same motions. Rehab isn't fun. You wish it didn't happen at all but not a big deal. Once he was able to actually get on the floor, he worked hard by all accounts. it was the push he needed.

But no of course this means Hinkie gonna Hink and trade him now of course.

mksp wrote:It's Howard Eskin, who's notoriously awful and hasn't broken a story in a decade.

Even if its true, and it may be, not sure it's a big deal. Brett Brown himself said it took getting Joel back on the court to get his mind right. Kid was 19 years old and wasn't allowed to play basketball or even run. Couldn't have been easy to stay in shape.

Would it be better if he was perfect all year? Obviously.

But he looks like he's in pretty good shape at this point, so not sure how relevant it is at this point given the circumstances.

I don't think you can just brush it off as nothing. You guys are simply assuming the statements that he has 'turned it around' are fully true while completely disregarding the more negative press. Sure that side could be true, but I would be slightly concerned with the press. In the end, things likely will fall into place because as you said, Joel Embiid is only nineteen, but hearing rumours of laziness are never good, no matter the circumstance.

I do wish Howard Eskiin would give a more specific number though, as "thousands of dollars" is piss poor journalism.

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:Typical 19 year old behavior really.

Optimus_Steel wrote:

Wasabi_Johnson wrote:Typical 19 year old behavior really.

Disagree. There are plenty of respectful 19 year olds that would not behave like that.