The Philadelphia 76ers were dealt a crushing blow as their star center Joel Embiid is out for the rest of the season because of issues with his health. This news comes as a hard hit for the franchise since Joel Embiid was having another spectacular season, one that avowedly showed why he is one of the most impactful players in the NBA. His absence will certainly alter the Sixers’ playoff perdition and will prompt the franchise to change its tune from there on out.
Joel Embiid Injury and Effect on the Sixers
This season, Joel Embiid has been playing at MVP-caliber levels, averaging incredibly impressive numbers in points, rebounds, and defensive contributions. His ability to dominate both ends of the floor is what made him the poster boy of the success that the 76ers had as a team. Unfortunate for Philadelphia, however, as of late, medical vents along the lines of his still-indefinite absence from games.
The Sixers already have some serious pain lit in their already hawkish Eastern Conference, as losing Joel Embiid changes views totally. Losing him affects but weakens defenses down the middle and, on the offensive side, disposes of a significant share of the firepower. They must rely more on Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris to be able to shoulder most of the scoring, while role players such as Paul Reed and Mo Bamba will need to challenge Memphis head-on to supplement their frontcourt’s scoring without Embiid.
How Will the 76ers Cope Without Joel Embiid?
The biggest changes necessary for the 76ers to keep competing without Joel Embiid are about to be put into place: here are potential strategies the team might undertake:
- Increased Perimeter Game– Without the clear best inside player, the Sixers would have to turn to perimeter for actors like Maxey and three-ball specialists to keep flowing with their offense.
- More Fast-Paced Offense – Very well-known for the post-dominance he possesses, without Embiid, the Sixers might go for the faster transition points while leaving the emphasis of their play towards fast-paced actions.
- Better Defense-All-around team play on defense will have to be revamped since there is no match for Giant’s presence in the paint with the missing player.
- The Most Probable Trade or Free-Agent Signing Concerning the Franchise – With Joel Embiid ruled out for the season, the front office would lean itself in the direction of recruiting another big guy to fill the gap.
What This Means for the Future of Joel Embiid
Given that he has been injury-prone throughout his career, the latest injury raises doubts about how durable Embiid will be in the long run. The 76ers have put all their championship hopes into Embiid, but another season being cut short due to injury will lead to future discussions about how the team should be rebuilt for the long haul.
Now, as always, Joel Embiid will have his major priority recovery. This means that the Sixers will ensure he be ready for next season through an extremely careful process. And while it is probably very close to the latter, given the notions of health-the stake is important for both Philadelphia’s title hopes and Embiid’s legacy as one of the dominant big men in basketball.
76ers’ Playoff Hopes Without Joel Embiid
With Joel Embiid now out of the picture, the chances of the Sixers making a deep run into the playoffs appear to have taken a big blow. While they have other gifted players, these Sixers will find it hard to compete with elite teams, such as the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, without their superstar.
Philadelphia will need to bond together and figure out how to win, with Coach Nick Nurse maximizing the potential of his remaining roster while role players step up in Embiid’s absence.
Conclusion
The announcement that Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the season is another big setback for the Philadelphia 76ers. His presence on both sides of the floor cannot be replaceable, and the team is going to have to adjust quickly to keep its certificate. Although this year might not have gone the way the Sixers wanted, fans are praying for a strong follow-up season for Joel Embiid. Until then, the team must find new ways to fight through the adversities and keep the dreams of a title alive.
