The Sixers and Joel Embiid’s Health

[Nuntius]

Jokic is better than Joel, because he's more available than Joel. Joel is the most dominant player in the sport though... Along with Giannis who I think is the best player in the sport.

Jokic is better than Joel because Jokic has no real weaknesses on offense. There isn't a single thing that Jokic cannot do on the offensive end of the floor. Score inside? He can do it. Stretch the floor? He can do it. Create his own shot? For sure. Create for others? Like no other Center in history ever could. Play without the ball in his hands? Yup. Hit ridiculous game-winners from 40 feet out? He can do it as well.

Embiid is an amazing player and a really, really dominant scorer (a more dominant scorer than Jokic) but he does have holes in his game. He is nowhere close to Jokic as a playmaker for others. He is significantly more turnover prone than Jokic is as well, despite the fact that he doesn't have the playmaking load that Jokic has. He also cannot really play off the ball. He needs the ball in his hands. Oh, and Jokic is also a more efficient scorer than Embiid.

The result is that you can speed Embiid up. You can make him uncomfortable. You cannot do that to Jokic. What you can do to Jokic is attack him on the other end (and Embiid is indeed the better defender) but you really cannot do anything to Jokic on the offensive end. The guy doesn't have any holes to his offensive game.

So, I'd disagree availability isn't why Jokic is better than Embiid. Jokis is better than Embiid because he is the superior offensive player.

Joel definitely isn't ducking Jokic. I think last year was a little stupid for him to miss, but every other year was valid. If COVID interrupted 2-3 of the years he couldn't play in Denver. To lazily just scream since 2019 is intellectually dishonest and truly who cares. If a player can put up 2 back to back to masterpieces against Jokic... Seems like Jokic fans grasping at something.

Here's a short personal anecdote:

I didn't know about the ducking allegations until a couple of weeks ago. I don't have a dog in this whole Jokic vs Embiid fight (obviously, I have my opinions as I explained them above but I don't have any vested interest one way or another) and I usually do not watch West Coast games (I live in Europe and WC games start after 4 o'clock in the morning over here) so, yeah, I had no idea that this narrative existed. I learned about this narrative on this forum a couple of week, after the Philly-Denver game in Philly. A Philly fan bragged about Embiid's record vs Jokic and a Denver fan replied by mentioning that Embiid had only played 2 games in Denver while Jokic has played 7 games in Philly.

In this particular example, the intellectually dishonest argument wasn't that Denver's man reply that Embiid had only played 2 games in Denver. That was the argument that provided the context of what happened. The intellectually dishonest argument was the one presented by that Philly fan who pretend that there was no difference between home and away games played and just gave a single number for all of them.

[Sixerscan]

Last year he probably just sat out, Harden was also out and they had seeding basically locked up. It was a bad look.

The other years it seems pretty bad faith to say he wasn't legit injured/in COVID protocol, including this year as I think people now realize. He's injury prone, he misses lots of games, it's a minor miracle he plays as many games as he has.

Also people saying he hasn't played there since 2019 when it was during the 19/20 season is pretty funny framing.

He was dumb to play in GSW but I don't get why it's so controversial to say the league pressures guys into playing national games that they would sit other games for. They obviously do.

[M2J]

Jokic is better than Joel, because he's more available than Joel. Joel is the most dominant player in the sport though... Along with Giannis who I think is the best player in the sport.

Jokic is better than Joel because Jokic has no real weaknesses on offense. There isn't a single thing that Jokic cannot do on the offensive end of the floor. Score inside? He can do it. Stretch the floor? He can do it. Create his own shot? For sure. Create for others? Like no other Center in history ever could. Play without the ball in his hands? Yup. Hit ridiculous game-winners from 40 feet out? He can do it as well.

Embiid is an amazing player and a really, really dominant scorer (a more dominant scorer than Jokic) but he does have holes in his game. He is nowhere close to Jokic as a playmaker for others. He is significantly more turnover prone than Jokic is as well, despite the fact that he doesn't have the playmaking load that Jokic has. He also cannot really play off the ball. He needs the ball in his hands. Oh, and Jokic is also a more efficient scorer than Embiid.

The result is that you can speed Embiid up. You can make him uncomfortable. You cannot do that to Jokic. What you can do to Jokic is attack him on the other end (and Embiid is indeed the better defender) but you really cannot do anything to Jokic on the offensive end. The guy doesn't have any holes to his offensive game.

So, I'd disagree availability isn't why Jokic is better than Embiid. Jokis is better than Embiid because he is the superior offensive player.

Joel definitely isn't ducking Jokic. I think last year was a little stupid for him to miss, but every other year was valid. If COVID interrupted 2-3 of the years he couldn't play in Denver. To lazily just scream since 2019 is intellectually dishonest and truly who cares. If a player can put up 2 back to back to masterpieces against Jokic... Seems like Jokic fans grasping at something.

Here's a short personal anecdote:

I didn't know about the ducking allegations until a couple of weeks ago. I don't have a dog in this whole Jokic vs Embiid fight (obviously, I have my opinions as I explained them above but I don't have any vested interest one way or another) and I usually do not watch West Coast games (I live in Europe and WC games start after 4 o'clock in the morning over here) so, yeah, I had no idea that this narrative existed. I learned about this narrative on this forum a couple of week, after the Philly-Denver game in Philly. A Philly fan bragged about Embiid's record vs Jokic and a Denver fan replied by mentioning that Embiid had only played 2 games in Denver while Jokic has played 7 games in Philly.

In this particular example, the intellectually dishonest argument wasn't that Denver's man reply that Embiid had only played 2 games in Denver. That was the argument that provided the context of what happened. The intellectually dishonest argument was the one presented by that Philly fan who pretend that there was no difference between home and away games played and just gave a single number for all of them.

I'm not going to say that their last 2 matchups in Philly means Joel is better. But, they show he has 0 reason to duck him.

As for who is better or why. Jokic is probably a better offensive player. Mainly due to the Jokic can not be sped up argument. Jokic is a better ball handler in traffic, and has better balance against traffic or physicality... Making him less turnover prone. I think Joel is a good enough passer. Many of both their assists are from DHO to skilled movement shooters. I think Jokic has more options when you add on MPJ to Murray and movement in their offense with Gordon and MPJ to hit cutters. But Jokic is a great passer, Jo is mighty impressive too for a center. DHO are more effective when the big has scoring ability as they both do, so I'll credit them there... Jokic is definitely better of the 2 passing out of doubles when they actually are in the low post. I'll even say that Jokic is better at figuring out a way to be impactful when a team takes away his typical game as Philly did.... He just destroyed them on the offensive glass. Joel or at least Joel's coaches aren't making those adjustments during a bad shooting or passing game.

I totally disagree that Joel cannot play without the ball. He played without the ball plenty playing next to Ben Simmons. He's a great shooter and willing screener and has always been good with dribble handoffs before Harden came around. His pick and roll game with Harden shows how he can be effective off the ball. Harden just couldn't get to the rim to take advantage of it the way Maxey can. But he led the league in scoring the previous two years playing off ball too hardened. Even if his usage was high still... He may be the most impactful offball player in the league.... Along with Steph Curry of course and I think Maxey is learning to impact like Steph... Though he'll never shoot as well. But as for a Joel, many of those pick and rolls turned into a isolation play because of how teams overplayed him even off ball, But he was Harden's release valve.

Why I will say Joel is more dominant though is that he may be the single most impactful defensive player in the NBA and Jokic is not even close. Amazing rim protector. Size to guard even Jokic close to the rim, agility to switch onto any guard and I would feel good about it.

[QPR]

Jokic is one of the great playoff performers of the modern era and people want to say Embiid is.more dominant based on raw per game regular season numbers?

[Peregrine01]

Jokic is better than Joel, because he's more available than Joel. Joel is the most dominant player in the sport though... Along with Giannis who I think is the best player in the sport.

Jokic is better than Joel because Jokic has no real weaknesses on offense. There isn't a single thing that Jokic cannot do on the offensive end of the floor. Score inside? He can do it. Stretch the floor? He can do it. Create his own shot? For sure. Create for others? Like no other Center in history ever could. Play without the ball in his hands? Yup. Hit ridiculous game-winners from 40 feet out? He can do it as well.

Embiid is an amazing player and a really, really dominant scorer (a more dominant scorer than Jokic) but he does have holes in his game. He is nowhere close to Jokic as a playmaker for others. He is significantly more turnover prone than Jokic is as well, despite the fact that he doesn't have the playmaking load that Jokic has. He also cannot really play off the ball. He needs the ball in his hands. Oh, and Jokic is also a more efficient scorer than Embiid.

The result is that you can speed Embiid up. You can make him uncomfortable. You cannot do that to Jokic. What you can do to Jokic is attack him on the other end (and Embiid is indeed the better defender) but you really cannot do anything to Jokic on the offensive end. The guy doesn't have any holes to his offensive game.

So, I'd disagree availability isn't why Jokic is better than Embiid. Jokis is better than Embiid because he is the superior offensive player.

Joel definitely isn't ducking Jokic. I think last year was a little stupid for him to miss, but every other year was valid. If COVID interrupted 2-3 of the years he couldn't play in Denver. To lazily just scream since 2019 is intellectually dishonest and truly who cares. If a player can put up 2 back to back to masterpieces against Jokic... Seems like Jokic fans grasping at something.

Here's a short personal anecdote:

I didn't know about the ducking allegations until a couple of weeks ago. I don't have a dog in this whole Jokic vs Embiid fight (obviously, I have my opinions as I explained them above but I don't have any vested interest one way or another) and I usually do not watch West Coast games (I live in Europe and WC games start after 4 o'clock in the morning over here) so, yeah, I had no idea that this narrative existed. I learned about this narrative on this forum a couple of week, after the Philly-Denver game in Philly. A Philly fan bragged about Embiid's record vs Jokic and a Denver fan replied by mentioning that Embiid had only played 2 games in Denver while Jokic has played 7 games in Philly.

In this particular example, the intellectually dishonest argument wasn't that Denver's man reply that Embiid had only played 2 games in Denver. That was the argument that provided the context of what happened. The intellectually dishonest argument was the one presented by that Philly fan who pretend that there was no difference between home and away games played and just gave a single number for all of them.

I'm not sure about the notion that Embiid's a better scorer. In the regular season, it's probably true. But his game seems so centered around the kind of whistle he gets that his scoring effectiveness tends to drop a lot more compared to a guy like Jokic, whose scoring is more inelastic however physical the defense is allowed to be.

So yeah, Embiid's probably better at dropping 70 points against the Spurs in January but his scoring effectiveness in crucial playoff games when refs decide to swallow their whistles is a lot worse.

[losmi]

Last year he probably just sat out, Harden was also out and they had seeding basically locked up. It was a bad look.

The other years it seems pretty bad faith to say he wasn't legit injured/in COVID protocol, including this year as I think people now realize. He's injury prone, he misses lots of games, it's a minor miracle he plays as many games as he has.

Also people saying he hasn't played there since 2019 when it was during the 19/20 season is pretty funny framing.

He was dumb to play in GSW but I don't get why it's so controversial to say the league pressures guys into playing national games that they would sit other games for. They obviously do.

I'm not sure if anyone said that the league pressured Embiid to play in GSW. The story is that fans of opposing teams pressured him. And that spin seems to be well accepted among 76ers fans. Even on these boards, just scroll through this thread. Here's the latest example:

I won’t say they’re at e celebratory, but there’s some pretty gross chest puffing posts in this thread about Embiids injury…

This is what they wanted. They kill Embiid and the Sixers for trying to keep him healthy, then kill him when he gets injured trying to appease them by playing even though he shouldn't. Here is what should be apparent to everyone he can't play 75-80 games physically he just can't. Shaq didn't either during his last three years on the Lakers and no one cares now.

Embiid is not going to be remembered for the one regular-season matchup he missed. No one is going to care forget in five years in a week it won't be a story. They will however remember a lost season though to yet another injury. The worse thing about Embiid is he seems to give a damn what these people think.

[Nuntius]

I'm not going to say that their last 2 matchups in Philly means Joel is better. But, they show he has 0 reason to duck him.

He has no reason to duck Jokic, I agree. And I am sure that most people who believe that Embiid ducked some of those Denver games also believe that Embiid has no reason to duck Jokic. Because it simply isn't about ducking Jokic. NBA players don't duck other NBA players but they may duck conditions that make them appear ineffective.

If Embiid ducked any of those games, he didn't do it to duck Jokic. He did it to duck Denver. Out of all the arguments I've heard in this thread, the one that makes the most sense to me is the one that Bum Adebayo is providing. Embiid rarely plays in Denver and he rarely plays in Utah. This cannot be a coincidence. Is it the altitude? Is it the late start? Is it the fact that they are away games against teams that are usually pretty good? I don't know. I can't say for sure. But I do not believe that this is a coincidence.

As for who is better or why. Jokic is probably a better offensive player. Mainly due to the Jokic can not be sped up argument. Jokic is a better ball handler in traffic, and has better balance against traffic or physicality... Making him less turnover prone. I think Joel is a good enough passer. Many of both their assists are from DHO to skilled movement shooters. I think Jokic has more options when you add on MPJ to Murray and movement in their offense with Gordon and MPJ to hit cutters. But Jokic is a great passer, Jo is mighty impressive too for a center. DHO are more effective when the big has scoring ability as they both do, so I'll credit them there... Jokic is definitely better of the 2 passing out of doubles when they actually are in the low post. I'll even say that Jokic is better at figuring out a way to be impactful when a team takes away his typical game as Philly did.... He just destroyed them on the offensive glass. Joel or at least Joel's coaches aren't making those adjustments during a bad shooting or passing game.

I totally disagree that Joel cannot play without the ball. He played without the ball plenty playing next to Ben Simmons. He's a great shooter and willing screener and has always been good with dribble handoffs before Harden came around. His pick and roll game with Harden shows how he can be effective off the ball. Harden just couldn't get to the rim to take advantage of it the way Maxey can.

I cannot say I completely agree with everything (as I said before, I do believe that Embiid needs the ball in his hands a lot more than Jokic does and I believe that you are understating the difference in their playmaking ability) but, at the end of the day, I'm not an expert on either of those players. Due to the time of when games start where I live (earliest ones are at 2 hours after midnight) and my morning job, I simply do not have the time to watch a lot of games every night. I'll watch when my team plays and I'll watch on holidays and some weekends but I'm nowhere close to an expert about any player who isn't a Pacer. That means that it is entirely possible that my personal opinion on those issues is inaccurate. So, fair enough.

Why I will say Joel is more dominant though is that he may be the single most impactful defensive player in the NBA and Jokic is not even close. Amazing rim protector. Size to guard even Jokic close to the rim, agility to switch onto any guard and I would feel good about it.

I wouldn't say that Embiid is the single most impactful defensive player in the NBA but, again, see above. I'm not an expert and he's definitely better than Jokic. Sadly, though, when you are the team's star you need to be able to lead your team's offense as well. Jokic does that. Embiid hasn't been able to do in the playoffs.

[RB34]

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[Sixers in 4]

I'm not going to say that their last 2 matchups in Philly means Joel is better. But, they show he has 0 reason to duck him.

He has no reason to duck Jokic, I agree. And I am sure that most people who believe that Embiid ducked some of those Denver games also believe that Embiid has no reason to duck Jokic. Because it simply isn't about ducking Jokic. NBA players don't duck other NBA players but they may duck conditions that make them appear ineffective.

If Embiid ducked any of those games, he didn't do it to duck Jokic. He did it to duck Denver. Out of all the arguments I've heard in this thread, the one that makes the most sense to me is the one that Bum Adebayo is providing. Embiid rarely plays in Denver and he rarely plays in Utah. This cannot be a coincidence. Is it the altitude? Is it the late start? Is it the fact that they are away games against teams that are usually pretty good? I don't know. I can't say for sure. But I do not believe that this is a coincidence.

As for who is better or why. Jokic is probably a better offensive player. Mainly due to the Jokic can not be sped up argument. Jokic is a better ball handler in traffic, and has better balance against traffic or physicality... Making him less turnover prone. I think Joel is a good enough passer. Many of both their assists are from DHO to skilled movement shooters. I think Jokic has more options when you add on MPJ to Murray and movement in their offense with Gordon and MPJ to hit cutters. But Jokic is a great passer, Jo is mighty impressive too for a center. DHO are more effective when the big has scoring ability as they both do, so I'll credit them there... Jokic is definitely better of the 2 passing out of doubles when they actually are in the low post. I'll even say that Jokic is better at figuring out a way to be impactful when a team takes away his typical game as Philly did.... He just destroyed them on the offensive glass. Joel or at least Joel's coaches aren't making those adjustments during a bad shooting or passing game.

I totally disagree that Joel cannot play without the ball. He played without the ball plenty playing next to Ben Simmons. He's a great shooter and willing screener and has always been good with dribble handoffs before Harden came around. His pick and roll game with Harden shows how he can be effective off the ball. Harden just couldn't get to the rim to take advantage of it the way Maxey can.

I cannot say I completely agree with everything (as I said before, I do believe that Embiid needs the ball in his hands a lot more than Jokic does and I believe that you are understating the difference in their playmaking ability) but, at the end of the day, I'm not an expert on either of those players. Due to the time of when games start where I live (earliest ones are at 2 hours after midnight) and my morning job, I simply do not have the time to watch a lot of games every night. I'll watch when my team plays and I'll watch on holidays and some weekends but I'm nowhere close to an expert about any player who isn't a Pacer. That means that my personal opinion on those issues may be inaccurate. So, fair enough.

Why I will say Joel is more dominant though is that he may be the single most impactful defensive player in the NBA and Jokic is not even close. Amazing rim protector. Size to guard even Jokic close to the rim, agility to switch onto any guard and I would feel good about it.

I wouldn't say that Embiid is the single most impactful defensive player in the NBA but, again, see above. I'm not an expert and he's better than Jokic. Sadly, though, when you are the team's star you need to be able to lead your team's offense as well. Jokic does that. Embiid hasn't been able to do it in the playoffs.

Because he's been injured. He's either limped into the playoffs or been injured during the playoff run missing games.

It's completely fair criticism to point out he's been unavailable and can't keep himself healthy when the Sixers need him most. I do take issue with the idea that while playing injured games he wouldn't be playing if it were the regular season the expectation should be to perform at the same level. I mean everyone knows he's worn a mask, had his back injured to the point he couldn't jump, and had his knee injured he's played through those things you have to look at that context.

The goal should be and the conversation the Sixers are likely having is how do you get Embiid into the playoffs healthy and through the playoffs healthy. Initially, I thought okay he sat in Denver that is a great first step even if this team is worse on paper than last year it didn't matter then and won't now how good the team is the team goes as Embiid's health goes. However, reports are Embiid was injured somewhat but played anyway to qualify for the award and due to criticism. So I honestly don't know what to believe regardless Embiid is hurt and when you have Morey and the CS looking as worried as they did that means they likely suspect it is something serious.

[Wolfgang630]

Injuries is part of the game. Give me a break. Always using that for Embiid. Every other player is playing through injuries. Embiid is a weak performer and chokes in the playoffs. Others elevate. He’s a great player of his time. But he’s not a legend like others.

[losmi]

An article from PhillyVoice:

https://www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-joel-embiid-injury-denver-nuggets-playing-hurt/

Basketball fans shouldn't be blamed for Joel Embiid playing through injury
...
The reality is the Sixers got caught doing what they’ve been doing over the past few seasons; giving in to Embiid’s demands to play. All for the MVP. Or the DPOY. Or maybe it’s both.
...
Either way — these are the motivations for Embiid playing, not a handful of internet strangers making up NBA Twitter publicly shaming him into taking the floor when he was clearly far from 100 percent.

[Sixers in 4]

Injuries is part of the game. Give me a break. Always using that for Embiid. Every other player is playing through injuries. Embiid is a weak performer and chokes in the playoffs. Others elevate. He’s a great player of his time. But he’s not a legend like others.

I don't care about labels. Legend. Choker. Label him whatever it's all meaningless like the stupid GOAT debate this board has.

All I am speaking to is the reality that he's had serious injuries in the playoffs broken orbital bones, concussions, torn meniscus, serious back spasms, broken thumb on his shooting hand. Like get real dude those aren't normal wear and tear injuries.

You may expect him to perform at the same level while playing through serious injury. I don't. I'll criticize him for the circumstances that led him to get injured in the first place because that is something that the Sixers and Embiid may actually be able to fix rather than expect him to be some sort of comic book character who isn't affected by pain or serious injury

[Nuntius]

I'm not going to say that their last 2 matchups in Philly means Joel is better. But, they show he has 0 reason to duck him.

He has no reason to duck Jokic, I agree. And I am sure that most people who believe that Embiid ducked some of those Denver games also believe that Embiid has no reason to duck Jokic. Because it simply isn't about ducking Jokic. NBA players don't duck other NBA players but they may duck conditions that make them appear ineffective.

If Embiid ducked any of those games, he didn't do it to duck Jokic. He did it to duck Denver. Out of all the arguments I've heard in this thread, the one that makes the most sense to me is the one that Bum Adebayo is providing. Embiid rarely plays in Denver and he rarely plays in Utah. This cannot be a coincidence. Is it the altitude? Is it the late start? Is it the fact that they are away games against teams that are usually pretty good? I don't know. I can't say for sure. But I do not believe that this is a coincidence.

As for who is better or why. Jokic is probably a better offensive player. Mainly due to the Jokic can not be sped up argument. Jokic is a better ball handler in traffic, and has better balance against traffic or physicality... Making him less turnover prone. I think Joel is a good enough passer. Many of both their assists are from DHO to skilled movement shooters. I think Jokic has more options when you add on MPJ to Murray and movement in their offense with Gordon and MPJ to hit cutters. But Jokic is a great passer, Jo is mighty impressive too for a center. DHO are more effective when the big has scoring ability as they both do, so I'll credit them there... Jokic is definitely better of the 2 passing out of doubles when they actually are in the low post. I'll even say that Jokic is better at figuring out a way to be impactful when a team takes away his typical game as Philly did.... He just destroyed them on the offensive glass. Joel or at least Joel's coaches aren't making those adjustments during a bad shooting or passing game.

I totally disagree that Joel cannot play without the ball. He played without the ball plenty playing next to Ben Simmons. He's a great shooter and willing screener and has always been good with dribble handoffs before Harden came around. His pick and roll game with Harden shows how he can be effective off the ball. Harden just couldn't get to the rim to take advantage of it the way Maxey can.

I cannot say I completely agree with everything (as I said before, I do believe that Embiid needs the ball in his hands a lot more than Jokic does and I believe that you are understating the difference in their playmaking ability) but, at the end of the day, I'm not an expert on either of those players. Due to the time of when games start where I live (earliest ones are at 2 hours after midnight) and my morning job, I simply do not have the time to watch a lot of games every night. I'll watch when my team plays and I'll watch on holidays and some weekends but I'm nowhere close to an expert about any player who isn't a Pacer. That means that my personal opinion on those issues may be inaccurate. So, fair enough.

Why I will say Joel is more dominant though is that he may be the single most impactful defensive player in the NBA and Jokic is not even close. Amazing rim protector. Size to guard even Jokic close to the rim, agility to switch onto any guard and I would feel good about it.

I wouldn't say that Embiid is the single most impactful defensive player in the NBA but, again, see above. I'm not an expert and he's better than Jokic. Sadly, though, when you are the team's star you need to be able to lead your team's offense as well. Jokic does that. Embiid hasn't been able to do it in the playoffs.

Because he's been injured. He's either limped into the playoffs or been injured during the playoff run missing games.

It's completely fair criticism to point out he's been unavailable and can't keep himself healthy when the Sixers need him most. I do take issue with the idea that while playing injured games he wouldn't be playing if it were the regular season the expectation should be to perform at the same level. I mean everyone knows he's worn a mask, had his back injured to the point he couldn't jump, and had his knee injured he's played through those things you have to look at that context.

I don't disagree that he has always been injured. But when a player's performance in the playoffs is always diminished by injury then that's a pattern too. People often say that no one is 100% healthy in the playoffs and there is some truth in it but there are differences on just how injured a player is and how much this injury is affecting him.

In Embiid's case, the answer to both of those questions usually is "very much". He isn't just harboring some light injury. He is playing through a serious injury and that injury is affecting his performance significantly. And that is an issue. It means that you cannot really expect (or assume) him to be fully healthy when the playoffs roll around.

The goal should be and the conversation the Sixers are likely having is how do you get Embiid into the playoffs healthy and through the playoffs healthy. Initially, I thought okay he sat in Denver that is a great first step even if this team is worse on paper than last year it didn't matter then and won't now how good the team is the team goes as Embiid's health goes. However, reports are Embiid was injured somewhat but played anyway to qualify for the award and due to criticism. So I honestly don't know what to believe regardless Embiid is hurt and when you have Morey and the CS looking as worried as they did that means they likely suspect it is something serious.

Agreed. The goal should indeed be to get Embiid healthy for the playoffs. But that also means that neither Embiid nor the team should care about stuff like head-to-head matchups with Jokic, winning the MVP or keeping some 30/10 streak alive. They all need to be fully committed to getting Embiid healthy for the playoffs.

As for the 65 games threshold to qualify for the award, I'm on record in the other thread saying that its current implenetation is not well-thought and could seriously backfire by forcing players to play while injured. So, we're in agreement on this particular part.

[Johnny Bball]

Holy hell, blaming Social Media and RGM for Embiid's injury!!! Lolololol.

[Quattro]

eyatoma, nothing you posted changes the fact that he played that game to chase the 65 games requirement. He's obsessed with personal accolades to the detriment of his team. There should be some serious talks within the 76ers organization.

Also, his PR has always been awful, but now it's out of control with blaming fans of opposing teams. That's irresponsible.

Social media is a scourge on society. You don't know how it affects people. I'm a teacher at an international school, and you have no idea how many depressed kids we have from online bullying etc. It is absolutely a real thing. Just because he's one of the best players in the world doesn't mean he's immune to feeling sensitive about this stuff. I do agree hes trying to meet the 65 game requirement. Why do you think that is?

He wants accolades, because that's the measuring stick, in addition to championships when ranking people in NBA history. Chips and MVPs. If he's capable of winning another why shouldn't he while also going for a chip. I agree that this year with the way his body has reacted he's going to need to scale it back, and not go for it, at this point he's going to be forced to with his latest injury.

Accolades isn't the measuring stick though. Kawhi is a good example. The guy couldn't care less about mvps or social media or what people think of him. When he wants to sit out for health reasons he sits out.

Nobody is going to care about regular seasons or mvps when you bring home the championship. The guy (and his team) need to shut out the noise, forget about what doesn't matter and make sure he's ready for the grind of the playoffs especially when its clear that Philly has a deep enough team to win games without him in the regular season

[Bum Adebayo]

Another possibility is that he feels his MVP pales in comparison to Giannis and Jokic 2 MVPs, and so he feels he needs another one to be on "equal footing", at least in regular season.