Once upon a time, Allen Iverson had qualms about practice. Years later, another superstar doesn’t see the point in stepping on the court if he can help it. Though to be fair to Joel Embiid — he’s completely right.
Embiid has been dealing with left foot soreness that has been hampering him for a few weeks now. The All-Star game is scheduled for this Sunday and Embiid has been named a starter (for the sixth-straight season) in replacement of an injured Kevin Durant.”I’m not sure,” Embiid said when asked if he’ll play in the game, per ESPN. “I’m not healthy. I haven’t been healthy for the past three weeks, or month. I was just trying to get to the All-Star break without missing games and stuff. But I feel like I’ve reached the point where I need to follow the doctor’s advice. … Back then he said I should have been sitting for two weeks, so we’ll see how the next few days go, and go from there.”
Though the game, and weekend, are largely meaningless nowadays, there is something to be said for starting the contest. That, if anything, still means something. Still, Embiid sees this as a chance to get healthy in an effort to lead his Philadelphia 76ers to a championship.
Playing in the All-Star game pales in comparison to that goal.
“Like I said, the focus is on winning, especially getting ready for the second half of the season and the playoffs,” Embiid said. “I’m focused on winning a championship. If that helps me get there healthy, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m just going to see how it goes.”
That’s what you want to hear from your MVP-level superstar if you’re Philly. After all, Kobe Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, but the only thing you know he ever cared about was the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
