The Philadelphia 76ers' preseason just began, but they are already off to a rough start. Star Joel Embiid seemingly looked like he was ready to suit up and play immediately for the Sixers after appearing at NBA Media Day. Be that as it may, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, there is still no time for his return.
Embiid's status remaining unknown entering the preseason will be a huge cloud that hangs over the Sixers' heads. They will already be without Paul George and Jared McCain to start the season, and then there's Embiid, meaning they could be without two starters and a rotation player for weeks at a time.
The Sixers need their best players healthy at the right time
That doesn't give the Sixers faithful much to work with, with them having already put up with so much dysfunction and injury woes in recent years. If this team can at least tread water until fully healthy—if they somehow get fully healthy—then they could actually make noise in the Eastern Conference.
Last season, before it all went so horribly wrong, they were widely considered a top-4 team in the East. The East is now much weaker, with the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics missing their best players. Therefore, a team could fill the vacuum.
That could be the 76ers if they can get their best players healthy. Of course, that is much easier said than done and will depend on Embiid's health. To his credit, he seems to be taking a different approach to his health, saying that he's taking things "day by day."
The Sixers face a make-or-break season with Joel Embiid
Whether that ultimately allows him to play more than half of the Sixers' regular season games and be healthy for the playoffs is a big question mark. Nevertheless, it is something the Sixers have to figure out if they have any hope of finally making it to the Eastern Conference Finals or further with Embiid.
All in all, despite Embiid making appearances at NBA Media Day and appearing healthy, the Sixers have no idea when he will play for them this season. Considering just how much they rely on him, if he can't stay healthy, the 76ers' season may already be doomed before it even starts.