Joel Embiid just got done signing a five-year $146.5 million deal that secures him with the 76ers, and you have to wonder: should we really trust the process? He’s been injured for most his career so far, and he gets rewarded with a big pay day.
Embiid is capable of being one of the best big men in the game, but it becomes difficult to proceed with this conversation when he has played only 31 games in three years. He put up a well-earned double-double (18 pts 13 rebs) in a season opener loss to the Washington Wizards. The Kansas product played 27 minutes when two days ago there were minute restrictions heading into the 2017-18 campaign. Philadelphia fans are forced to trust in the process, and it could get ugly.
For the 76ers, there have been some injury issues recently. Causing all of the hype to be pushed back year to year. Rookie Markelle Fultz and forced rookie Ben Simmons are both making their debuts in the NBA. Simmons coming back from an injury while Fultz is adjusting to the NBA. Let’s just say that 76ers have a lot to prove, and being at the bottom of the eastern conference just isn’t acceptable with the talent they’ve acquired. This franchise needs to improve, and this season is a fan’s last cry for help.
The 76ers have a long season ahead of them, and the issue moving forward is: can these guys stay healthy? Once the season kicks itself into gear and the back-to-back games start, it could be difficult for Embiid to adjust to playing huge minutes each night. We all know he has all the confidence in the world, but can he obtain a good work ethic to get him through a full season? This season is bigger than basketball for Philadelphia since they’ve had some close calls of losing their franchise to New Jersey for a few years. It’s time for Embiid to produce and his contract says it all. Can you really trust the process?
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