Joel Embiid has been facing a lot of criticism for missing many games early in the season due to a variety of minor injuries. He led the 76ers to a win over the Rockets tonight and spoke to the media afterward, expressing his displeasure at people worrying about the games he misses instead of his health around playoff time.
“I saw it. But I can’t control if I get sick… Can’t control if my knee is gonna swell up… The goal is to bring in wonderful players. If I can’t make the criteria of 65 games by not playing against the best teams in the NBA, as long as I’m ready to be dominant when it gets to that time in April, that’s all I care about.”
Sixers star Joel Embiid on the narratives about him ducking the best teams in the NBA:
"I saw it. But I can't control if I get sick… Can't control if my knee is gonna swell up… As long as I'm ready to be dominant when it gets to that time in April, that's all I care about."… pic.twitter.com/FbJUMMscJW
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2024
The 76ers can safely dream about a playoff spot with their 25-13 record and position as the third seed in the East. Embiid is averaging 34.9 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, possibly locking up a third consecutive NBA scoring title. However, none of the regular season awards will matter if Embiid misses seven more games.
The NBA set a 65-game requirement for MVP and All-NBA consideration. Embiid has already missed 10 games over the first half of the season. Over the second half, the business end of the season, Embiid can only afford to miss seven games total if he wants to be eligible for the MVP.
It’ll be a tough task for the 76ers center to not miss seven more games over the rest of the season. Regardless, his numbers are historic and should be rewarded or recognized at the end of the season, even if he misses the 65-game requirement.
The Curious Case Of Joel Embiid’s Missed Games This Season
Embiid’s 10 missed games this season may appear to have a pattern to many fans on the internet, as Embiid ends up missing games against top-tier opponents more often than not.
His first missed game of the season came against the Timberwolves in November after he played 41 minutes in a loss to the Cavaliers the night before. After playing two games, Embiid would miss two consecutive games against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics.
In the last 10 76ers games, Embiid has played just three. Even if people thought there was a pattern with Embiid picking certain games to rest, it’s clear as day he’s trying to work through injuries, otherwise he wouldn’t miss so many games. This stretch of missed games also includes favorable matchups against the likes of the Magic, Rockets, Bulls, Hawks, and even the Kings.
If Embiid was concerned about stat-padding, he wouldn’t have missed all these games and come close to being eliminated from awards contention. Joel wants to win a title and that’s what he’s preparing his body for, as compared to the MVP push he’s made in the last three seasons which meant he’d go into the playoff banged up. This season, he’s prioritizing the championship.
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