The Philadelphia 76ers have finally made the call to bench Joel Embiid for the remainder of the season. It seems anyone could have seen this coming, given how Embiid spent much of the year struggling just to move up and down the court.
Even during his rare appearances on the court, he wasn’t quite the powerhouse player fans have come to expect. To make matters worse, there appears to be a growing rift between Embiid and the Sixers’ management over his current treatment plans.
Reports from Shams Charania, a well-known ESPN insider, reveal that Embiid personally reached out to team owner Josh Harris to discuss his worries about how the team is handling his knee issues. As mentioned via ClutchPoints, Embiid believes that a different approach to treatment is necessary, which puts him at odds with the organization:
“Joel Embiid went directly to 76ers owner Josh Harris about the state of his knee… Over the last month, we’ve seen fundamental differences between him & the 76ers as far as Embiid believing that he needs a different treatment approach,” he explained.
On Twitter, Shams Charania’s insights further highlighted the ongoing tension surrounding Embiid’s situation.
Additionally, there’s talk circulating that the team might consider pursuing a medical retirement for Embiid, a move that would free them from his contractual obligations. Throughout his career, sustaining good health has been a continuous challenge for Embiid.
At his peak, no one could doubt his dominance on the court—both offensively and defensively. Embiid is undeniably the linchpin of the Sixers and is rightfully considered among the best in the league. Yet, time and again, the playoffs have found him either sidelined by injury, worn out, or simply unable to play up to his usual standards.
Questions about his attitude and work ethic have been whispered, with some concerns tracing back to his early days in the NBA. While injuries are a brutal reality for any athlete, the responsibility isn’t solely on Embiid’s shoulders. Nevertheless, the Sixers are now faced with a critical decision regarding their path forward.
