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Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid Has Time To Transform Public Perception, Negative Connotations

ByJake Hyman|
Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks during warm ups before playing against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks during warm ups before playing against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

It might be the nearing the end of preseason, but the Philadelphia 76ers are once again entrenched in media’s web of disconcerting news regarding an NBA franchise. Friday, a report from SI.com’s Brian Geltzeiler acknowledged that the team is uneasy with Joel Embiid‘s approach to rehabbing a broken navicular bone in 2015 and his nonchalance to the situation.

"“Embiid’s lax approach to his rehab and the circumstances surrounding the second foot surgery he needed this past summer-which appears like it will cost him the entire 2015-16 season-has caused the organization much anxiety. The simple task of getting Embiid to consistently wear his walking boot was a challenge for the franchise, and multiple sources suggested that some people in Philadelphia’s front office wonder whether a second surgery would have been necessary if Embiid had worn the boot as much as he was told to.”"

Though Geltzeiler’s analysis is factually based with sources, their has been analysis also on the article’s information. Liberty Ballers’ Kyle Neubeck broke down sections of the article with fervor and insight.

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His dissection of Embiid’s unwillingness to acknowledge doctor’s orders and the possibility of Embiid re-breaking his foot which led to another surgery in August questions his maturity and ability to comprehend professional instructions.

Sixers head coach Brett Brown felt the story was just “noise”:

"“It’s just one of those things that we move on from,” Brown said before a 127-118 preseason loss to Washington at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday night, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Mike Breen.”We’re pretty much treating it as noise. We will move on from it.”"

From eating junk food such as chicken fingers and downing pitchers of shirley temples, instead of the fruits and vegetables team dietician’s stocked in his refrigerator, and performing risky basketball activities like running and dunking, Geltzeiler’s report is a troubling series of unfortunate events.

The volatility in his decisions and inability to control Embiid’s off-court activities could have dramatic repercussions when the team needs him to compete.

Luckily for the organization, Embiid has time to recover and find a mentality that benefits his rehab and future prospectus as a successful NBA player.

The topic of Embiid’s jovial, yet unpredictable personality, has been harped upon ad nauseam. His Twitter persona, last year, illustrated the notion that he’s still a teenager trying to enjoy life in a country he wasn’t born in.

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Embiid notoriously transitioned to life on the hardwood at age 14 and rapidly molded his tantalizing skill set throughout high school and during his lone year at Kansas. He’s still a work in progress, but Embiid is far from reaching his peak ability.

To even fathom a potential jump Embiid can make, he needs to step on the court and play meaningful minutes. The fact that he’s yet to even participate in a non-competivte game scenario is frightening for an organization whose Cameroonian asset is imperative to their rebuild.

He’s the quintessential project Hinkie has tried to complete with fervor and patience. Embiid would be in a scenario blessed with playing time and opportunity, but the general manager knows the short-term risks tied to Embiid lacing up his shoes and taking the court.

There’s a wide window of opportunity for Embiid. Philadelphia looks to be in another season of trial and error and isn’t set on competing until at least next season. If the Sixers ascend Embiid’s rehab, it would be a myopic play, going against what they’ve preached for years.

Embiid has another opportunity to rehab without interferences and rumors attached to his willingness to follow doctors orders. At 21 years old, the professional attitude could be exuded by Embiid which leads to a inclining career. What he does have is time to change people’s perception and willingness to put stock in the now 7-foot-2 big man.

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