"I've Done Way Too Much For This Fucking City To Be Treated Like This" - Joel Embiid And The City of Philadelphia Might Be Reaching A Breaking Point
Here's what I'll say about Joel Embiid--I don't want to completely absolve him of any blame here, but this I don't think he's really at fault for this current situation. For starters, the dude is massive and obviously there's going to be a ton of wear and tear on his body. It doesn't matter how in shape he is or how many procedures he gets, his body is always going to be getting destroyed simply based on how large he is.
If anything, the fault lies on the head of the Sixers organization. They are a bunch of slimy little fucking weasels who refuse to ever show any semblance of transparency. If this was always going to be the plan for Embiid this season, then the organization should have just said so instead of dropping the news on everybody a few hours before the start of the season. They put Joel Embiid in an impossible spot where they're choosing to keep him healthy for the playoffs while making it look like he's happily sitting out of basketball games.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of ways Joel has contributed to becoming one of the most polarizing figures in Philly sports history. The man won an MVP but he's still not completely beloved in this city. That's almost impossible, but Joel has found a way to make it happen. All I'm saying is that with this current situation, the organization absolutely fucked him with how sketchy and shady they are about everything.
So part of me feels for Joel here because I'm sure deep down he wishes he could play 82 games per year, and it has to suck seeing everyone call out your work ethic. But at the same time….holy fuck, dude. Get a grip. You've done too much for this city?
What exactly has Joel Embiid done for this city? I'd argue not a fucking thing, actually. He won an individual award, and then went off this summer to get an Olympic gold medal on his resume instead of focusing on the upcoming NBA season. I get he played through some injuries before but welcome to being a professional athlete, Joel. Not to be the hockey hardo here but there are probably 10 guys on the Flyers right now who are playing through more severe injuries.
Joel Embiid has been in this city for a decade at this point. The Sixers are still no better now as when he first got here. This team still can't get passed the 2nd round of the playoffs, and they likely never will. Joel Embiid has every right to be upset about the way he's being treated right now. Joel Embiid has every right to want to rip Marcus Hayes' head off of his body. But Joel Embiid doesn't have any right to say that he's done anything for this city because the last time I checked, there aren't any parades for MVP awards and Olympic gold medals.