The Philadelphia 76ers are being careful with their biggest star, which has rubbed some people the wrong way.
Embiid has yet to play in this young season, his first after signing a three-year, $193 million contract extension, and there has been controversy surrounding his health and availability.
Embiid and the Sixers have been open about his “load management,” both saying it would be unlikely Embiid would play both ends of games on back-to-back nights to preserve his health.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center April 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
A Philadelphia Inquirer column this week about the controversy was headlined, “Sixers plan to sit Joel Embiid early and often. They should give fans refunds for games without him.” The writer, Marcus Hayes, called Embiid “Mr. 46 Percent” since he’s played in 46% of regular season games since being drafted in 2014. Hayes also described the arrangement as “fraud.”
But when he’s been on the floor, Embiid’s been one of the most dominant forces in the league. He could have won back-to-back MVPs had he stayed healthy last season.
Embiid was asked Friday about how he felt about his usage, and he took it as an opportunity to respond to his critics.
“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—.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center April 28, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
“Like, that dude, he’s not here. Marcus whatever his name is. I’ve done way too much for this f—ing city to be treated like this. So, I’ve done way too f—ing much. 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.”
The NBA recently fined the Sixers $100,000 due to public statements made about Embiid’s health at the start of the season. The league conducted an investigation into the 76ers after Embiid missed the team’s opening game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which was reportedly a formality due to its player participation policy for nationally televised games.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw during a game against the San Antonio Spurs Jan. 22, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
While the NBA found the 76ers did not violate that policy, it did discipline the team for public comments that did not properly reflect Embiid’s knee issues. The league did conclude that Embiid is dealing with a “left knee condition.”
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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