Joel Embiid still hasn’t played for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. Friday, he had some colorful language for people who claim he doesn’t want to play.
“When I see people saying, he doesn’t want to play, I’ve done way too much for this city putting myself at risk for people to be saying that,” Embiid told reporters. “I do think it’s bull——.”
Embiid was responding to a column from Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer that suggested the Sixers give refunds to fans for games where their star center didn’t play. In it, Hayes took issue with the Sixers’ lack of transparency about their plan to sit out Embiid for the beginning of the season and all back-to-back games, “which conveniently coincided with the sales of tickets for games he would intentionally be absent from.”
While Hayes mainly took the organization to task, he also accused Embiid of “choosily not participating in games.” It seems clear that Embiid and the Sixers are consciously trying to keep him healthy for the playoffs. While that probably does disappoint ticket holders, it’s not as if Embiid is on vacation.
Although, there is a question as to whether Embiid truly has “done way too much for this city.” He’s played through injuries before, but what he hasn’t done is advance past the second round of the NBA playoffs. Embiid has endured knee injuries and orbital fractures — twice — in the postseason, but his overall record in playoff games is 29-30.
Philadelphia’s rest plan for Embiid is an attempt to improve that, but it’s hard to argue that he’s been so successful that he’s above criticism. Embiid won an MVP award in 2022-23, but that’s the most significant accomplishment of his Sixers career.
He may have risked his health to play for the Sixers, but Embiid will have also earned over $500 million by the end of his deal. He’s not exactly doing volunteer work for the city of Philadelphia.
Embiid remains out for Saturday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. There’s still no projected date for his return.
