Joel Embiid, 76ers ‘sought half-a-dozen’ medical opinions before agreeing to extension, Ben Simmons tried to ‘mend fences’ with Embiid

The 76ers are 3-13, have the second-worst record in the NBA, and things seem to be getting worse every day.

On Wednesday, Ramona Shelburne wrote a story for ESPN debriefing the Sixers’ horrific start, while throwing in two very interesting scoops we need to discuss.

“The team and [Joel] Embiid had sought half a dozen medical opinions before signing him to a three-year, $192.7M extension this September, sources said, and all of those consulted believed his knee could be adequately managed by a combination of strategic rest and procedures to promote healing, which Embiid has been regularly undergoing since last season.

“Both the team and Embiid hoped his troublesome knee would be healthy enough to start the season, sources said. Yet week after week, the Sixers would issue updates that he was still out, but they were hopeful he’d be ready soon.”

And now, here we are.

So, the Sixers knew Joel Embiid‘s knee would never be 100%, but were confident it would be better and good to go. Obviously, their thought process was way off.

The Sixers believed initially that Embiid would just need some time following the Olympics to get his knee right (we should all be frustrated about that). But as the season inched closer, it was very apparent Embiid was not ready and his knee was not right. Was that when reality set in for Philadelphia? Possibly.

And, as we are all aware, his return was not the strongest. He then played well in Memphis a week ago. Now, we have not seen him since.

Whatever doctors the Sixers and Embiid went to I would not recommend.

Also, we thought we were all done with Ben Simmons, right?

“The matchup with Simmons was more sad than cruel last Friday.

“For years the Philly fans booed him heartily each time he returned to face the team he forced his way out of in 2022. Embiid wouldn’t even say his name, referring to him by his number and only when he had to.

“But so much has gone wrong for Simmons and his former team in the years they’ve been apart that Simmons’ presence back in Philadelphia barely registered this time. He’d even reached out to Embiid and others last summer, league sources said, hoping to mend fences. Simmons, who is in the final year of his contract in Brooklyn, has shown how he can still impact a game with his passing, length and defense. But in the second quarter of the game Friday, he also missed the rim on a layup in a clip that quickly went viral — reminding everyone of how his time in Philadelphia went awry. Could they ever try to figure it out together again? One source called it unlikely, but stranger things have happened. Especially with the Sixers.”

If you had Simmons-to-Philly discussions on your bingo card for this season, I do not know if I should be applauding you or scared of you.

I mean, if we just want to have some fun and not care anymore, I am so down for bringing Simmons back into this mess. However, I would like to be a fan of a serious organization.

I refuse to speak further on Ben Simmons.

Also want to bring in this quote as well from Shelburne on the Tyrese Maxey-Embiid moment in their house-long meeting last week.

“Throughout his career, Embiid has generally kept to himself when he was sick or injured. But with the team reeling, Maxey felt he should be with the team at shootarounds and meetings and said so in an hour-long team meeting after the loss in Miami.

“Embiid took those words to heart, team sources said, and wasn’t angry with Maxey. But he and other players also aired frustration with the coaching staff and each other at not always knowing what they were trying to accomplish on both ends of the court.”

The 30-for-30 on this team in a few years is going to be an incredible watch.

---

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO