Joel Embiid isn’t happy with backlash about not wanting to play

Joel Embiid isn’t happy with backlash about not wanting to play

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has yet to play in an NBA game this season with a left knee injury. The team isn’t off to a great start, having started 1-3 with losses to the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.

We already knew the 76ers were going to be extra precautionary with Embiid heading into the season after he’s dealt with multiple injuries come the postseason. In fact, he was limited to just 39 games last season after tearing his mensicus in his left knee. Fortunately for him, he recovered from the injury before the postseason and played for Team USA in the Olympics, but missed all of the preseason with “left knee management.”

Embiid spoke with reporters Friday and lashed out at critics who say the 7-foot big man doesn’t want to play.

“It was never decided. Like I said, everybody has been on the same page. If your body doesn’t react well and your body tells you one thing—I’ve done it,” Embiid said. “From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice. I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I had broken fingers. I still came back so I’m not gonna sit here and be like—when I see people saying he doesn’t want to play. I’ve been through way too much. I’ve done way too much for this city and putting myself at risk for people to be saying that so I do think it’s bulls–t.

“I’ve done way too much for this f*cking city to be treated like this … But like I said, I wish I was as lucky as other ones. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not trying and I’m not doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m gonna be here pretty soon.”

Embiid, 30, who’s had a history of lower body injuries, is entering his 9th NBA season. He’s made seven All-Star teams, five All-NBA teams and won one MVP in 2022-23. Though the burly big man has never led Philadelphia past the second round, let alone made an NBA Finals, despite making the Eastern Conference semis five times over the past seven seasons.

He has been a good philanthropist throughout the city, including donating his All-Star game winnings to homeless shelters while pledging $1 million to non-profit organizations. I don’t think what he’s done for the city off the court can be denied, but it’s different on the court, where the Philadelphia media and fans are pretty ruthless.

All of those concerns will wash away if he can lead Philadelphia to the promise land. It doesn’t have great depth and definitely isn’t the most spry team in the NBA, which could make it difficult–especially if Embiid or Paul George aren’t healthy come mid-April.

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