Joel Embiid’s Weight Gain Is Concerning, But Nothing To Panic About
By Cody Daniel
According to Keith Pompey of Philly.com, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ prized prospect and most recent No. 3 overall pick from last year’s draft, Joel Embiid, has a bit of a concerning weight issue:
"“Embiid has a weight issue. Although the Sixers wouldn’t disclose his weight, a source said he’s close to 300 pounds after being 250 pounds at Kansas last season.”"
As you could expect, this isn’t something that comes as the most thrilling news for Sixers’ fans when discussing such a high-upside, recovering rookie that the tanking Sixers have planned to make the centerpiece of the franchise.
Even more concerning is the 20-year-old Cameroon native’s work ethic and maturity being questioned, which is understandable after Pompey reported the Sixers had to send Embiid home after a recent incident with an assistant coach:
"“And a blowup with assistant strength and conditioning coach James Davis is one of the reasons he was sent home during the team’s recent West Coast road trip.”"
Where the reported weight issue and work ethic come into question appear to be with the Sixers’ efforts to address their rookie’s weight gain, but Pompey reports Embiid “hasn’t always been a willing workout participant, according to sources. He’s even blown off conditioning drills, one source added.”
Now there’s no denying that none of the aforementioned issues are things nobody within the Sixers’ organization, nor their ever-patient fans, would like to hear about. It’s already a troubling sign that the Sixers’ seven-footer has added 50 pounds, which isn’t going to do any good for a big man with recent back and foot injuries.
His unwillingness to shed the extra weight comes as the greatest cause for concern, but ultimately, there’s absolutely no reason to start panicking and overblowing this whole situation.
Is it bad that Embiid is putting on far to many extra pounds? Yes.
Is it bad that he’s struggled to always be cooperative in conditioning drills? Yes.
But let’s consider this in defense of Embiid, who is a 20-year-old rookie that’s 6,000 miles away from home, has recently become a millionaire and because of his recovering foot injury can’t compete in what would be the easiest way for him to shed the extra pounds — playing basketball. As seen by head coach Brett Brown, it’s a situation that isn’t necessarily going in the big man’s favor.
"“He’s boxed up in a big man’s frame,” Brown said. “He is frustrated at times when he isn’t playing. He can’t play. And I just feel like there are a lot of things going against him.”"
It also doesn’t help that due to NBA policy; Embiid can’t speak with the media until he begins competing in full, five-on-five scrimmages, which may not be until sometime after the season.
So now you’ve got a young man who has seen a complete life-style change happen before his eyes in the recent years with an injury that’s preventing him from doing what’s put him in this situation as the No. 3 draft pick, while practically having no voice to express through the whole process.
I’m not saying Embiid deserves a pass, as if his weight gain and questionable work ethic are to be swept under the rug, but don’t you think it’s a bit too early to make such a big deal about something so miniscule? It’s not like he was expected to play this entire season anyway.