Not much basketball joy exists in the realm of Philadelphia 76ers fans these days. And who could blame them? The Sixers have won exactly one game in 30 tries — the worst start to a season in NBA history — as the franchise trudges on through a self-imposed rebuilding process driven by (the hope of) cashing in on high lottery picks.
Of course, that business model might be a little less laughable right now if former Kansas big man Joel Embiid had actually, you know, been able to play in games for Philadelphia during last season or this one.
Since entering the 2014 draft, the 7-foot Embiid has undergone two surgeries on his right foot — most recently this past August, involving a graft on the same navicular bone he first fractured before Philadelphia picked him No. 3 overall.
But Sixers fans can at least feel a little bit better about the future, just in time for the holidays, as Embiid, who is again expected to miss an entire season, has started to go through very basic basketball drills in the early stages of another rehab process.
Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters, [including Keith Pompey of Philly.com][1], the 76ers love seeing the gregarious big man getting in some light work.
> “This just happens to be one of these
> times were he can get rehab in and be
> a part of us. But it’s good to see
> him.”
Embiid, who per NBA rules doesn’t have to speak with reporters until he is an active participant in 5-on-5 drills, appears to be taking [a different approach][2] to getting healthy this season, according to his coach.
> “I just know what I see, just a
> committed, hopeful athlete,” Brown
> said. “He sees that he’s doing the
> right thing. He feels like he’s doing
> the right thing. He is doing the right
> thing. So I just see somebody that’s
> got the edge where he wants to get
> going again. I think mentally it’s
> night and day from talking to him this
> time in December last year.”
As you can tell from an Embiid Instagram post that gained a lot of traction, the big man looks to be in the best physical shape of his life (foot injury not included).
Still, that bum foot means he can’t make real basketball moves for now — because if he tried he likely would suffer yet another setback. There is some video evidence of how little Embiid is allowed to take on. Earlier this week, Pompey tweeted out videos of the 21-year-old rookie-in-waiting remaining flat-footed during drills that incorporated shooting, passing and ball handling.
Joel Embiid draining corner 3s while chatting with @NerlensNoel3 #sixers pic.twitter.com/nB1gOfVYFg
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 21, 2015
Joel Embiid in a post-practice drill. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/wYaFxWmxCr
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 21, 2015
Joel Embiid in a shooting and passing drill. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/HufeAG1vyB
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 21, 2015
It’s all part of Embiid’s long journey toward playing next year (the Sixers hope).
Embiid won’t ever get to face his basketball idol, Kobe Bryant, who is retiring at the end of this season.
But maybe a more focused Embiid has emerged from the past year-plus of disappointment. And just maybe he’ll be the player who begins to turn the 76ers franchise around.
Embiid is skilled enough to be that guy if his body will ever give him a chance to show it. But we’ll have to wait until 2016-17 to find out how his feet and back cooperate in that process.
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*- Keep up with the production of all the ‘Hawks in the NBA [daily at KUsports.com][3]*
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[1]: http://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/sports/sixers&id=363183951
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2015/oct/27/one-of-these-years-maybe-joel-embiid-wil/
[3]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/mens_basketball/hawks_nba/
[4]: https://twitter.com/BentonASmith
