Joel Embiid's Season (or Lack Thereof)

Some things shouldn't be said regardless of how true it is. I believe this is a lesson that Joel Embiid is learning early on in this season. If you didn't get the chance to see the press conference or read his statement, he stated that he will no longer play in back to back games this season or the rest of his career.

We don't know the extent of his injuries or if he is recovering from an injury but what we do know is he hasn't played yet this season. The team has been somewhat vague on what is going on with Embiid. We've heard that he is ramping up to playing. I agree with Kendrick Perkins when he asks what Embiid is ramping up from. Is he injured or is he trying to maintain to prevent further injury to his body. We don't know.

No matter the reason, Embiid caused quite a stir when he spoke about what he was not going to do. One result was the league launching an investigation into the 76ers and their handling of reporting injuries. I'm pretty sure this will get resolved relatively quickly. It doesn't benefit either side to have this linger in the news.

In my humble opinion, I am not a fan of anyone saying what they are not going to be available for when their job is to be available. If you aren't healthy, I understand that. Let it be known that you aren't healthy. To say you aren't available for future games is something I believe everyone has a problem with. The first question is how do you know you won't be healthy enough to play in games all the way through May or June? My next question is should you be docked pay for one of the two back to back games throughout the season because it is predetermined that you will not play?

Embiid's statement has garnered a fair amount of criticism. I believe rightfully so. In the end, I hope Embiid has learned that some things are best left unsaid.