Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports
After missing all of last season, Joel Embiid was set to make his debut later this summer. However, this may no longer happen as he has suffered yet another setback with his injured right foot.
Just when things looked like they were turning around, the Philadelphia 76ers received horrible news Saturday night. After weeks of what have been described as dominant workouts, 76ers center Joel Embiid suffered another setback in the healing process of his injured right foot – the one that he had surgery on prior to the 2014 NBA Draft.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, despite not feeling pain any sort of pain, a recent CT scan revealed an issue in the healing process for Embiid. This report then caused the 76ers often tight-lipped general manager Sam Hinkie to release a statement that said “recently, Joel and Sixers personnel traveled to Los Angeles for a series of routine exams with a number of physicians who have been actively involved throughout this process. During his visit with Dr. Richard Ferkel, a standard CT scan on Joel’s right foot revealed less healing than anticipated at this point.”
Slated to make his long-awaited debut later this summer as a member of the franchise’s summer league teams, it now looks as though the 76ers will have to wait even longer before this 7-foot center is ready to play. Some may look at this situation and say that this news is not that bad as the team is not yet ready to compete anyway, so there is no better time for Embiid to suffer a setback. Others however will look as this situation in a much more doom and gloom manner and begin to compare Embiid to other talented centers such as Yao Ming and Bill Walton – both of whom had their careers derailed by a similar type of foot injury.
While it may not be fair, it is hard not to view this latest news on Embiid as anything but a negative. Not only have the 76ers spent the last two years rebuilding their roster, but the whole project was designed with Embiid at the center of it.
Of course this news will change the 76ers’ plans in regards to their summer league teams who will partake in two leagues this year – one in Utah and one in Las Vegas – but it could also change the franchise’s plans for the upcoming 2015 NBA Draft. Now, instead of targeting one of the top two guard prospects in this year’s draft class – D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay – as a compliment to Nerlens Noel and Embiid, the 76ers could now go after Duke center Jahlil Okafor or the 7-foot power forward from Latvia Kristaps Porzingis – should either one of them fall to No. 3.
If this were the only reported setback for the 21-year old it may be one thing. However, it is not, as back in March Embiid reportedly suffered a setback with his injured right foot – which many speculated was the result of him throwing down multiple between-the-legs dunks during pre-game workouts – that resulted in him sporting a walking boot.
This latest news on Embiid may turn out to be nothing and he could be back on the court in the matter of a few weeks. It could also turn out to be something and he could be shut down for another entire season or even possibly his career. Whichever way it turns out, another setback for Embiid – even if it is minor – is devastating for everyone. The 76ers have put all of their proverbial eggs in one basket and now even the slightest issue – like this one with Embiid – could set the franchise even further back then it already is.
Greg Sacidor is a Feature Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Greg_Sacidor or add him to your network on Google.
