Hoops Habit
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Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid injuries are untimely

By Alec Liebsch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 13: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 116-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 13: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 116-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
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Why was he playing?

On one hand, Simmons is practically an Iron Man. After missing his rookie season with a foot injury, the 6’10” unicorn had suited up for 213 of 219 regular season games (and all 22 of Philly’s playoff matchups) prior to this back issue. It’s possible that the medical staff and coaches gambled that he could fight through this.

But even if you think he can push through, why force the issue? Why risk losing him for the rest of the season, possibly his career, for a game two months out from the playoffs?

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There are still 23 games on the schedule after Wednesday’s loss to the Cavaliers; wouldn’t the heightened risk of losing him for most of those outweigh the benefit of having him for just one night?

Beating the Bucks on a winter night will not get the Sixers to the Finals. Even if Simmons had stayed healthy and they had won in Milwaukee, the Bucks would still be the No. 1 seed and well on their way to one of the best records of all time. Sure the media and fans would give more credence to the Sixers in a playoff series, but nothing would have really changed. Just the perception.

Considering the lack of other high-level playmakers on the roster, there was probably an impetus from all levels for Simmons to fight through. That context on its own is quite puzzling, because both Embiid and Simmons would thrive with a scoring guard.

Even if Butler’s departure was unexpected, the front office should have known to use its cap space on some type of ball handler. They might have thought Richardson could fill Butler’s void, but that has not worked. After him, Alec Burks is not a natural playmaker, Raul Neto was a minimum signing, and Shake Milton is Shake Milton.

Despite that, it’s still unacceptable to absorb the risk of playing Simmons through this, even if it damn near guarantees a loss.