Dave Uram
Uh oh, Marc Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated reported what!?
Joel Embiid hasn’t been cleared for 5-on-5 or 1-on-1 drills since getting meniscus surgery in late March.
It’s no secret, “The Process,” or whatever you want to call it, hinges 100 percent on the long-term health of Embiid. Without him, the Sixers will not reach the level we want them to reach, which culminates with a parade down Broad Street.
Wasn’t that the purpose behind excessive losing over the past four seasons? A parade?
It doesn’t matter if Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric are repeatedly All-Stars, because Embiid is the key that will start the ignition and keep the luxury vehicle, years in the making, moving smoothly.
Even though no timetable was given following Embiid’s surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the procedure was described as “minor” and Embiid later told ESPN the knee wasn’t as bad as suspected.
Now, I’m no doctor, but it’s alarming he hasn’t been cleared for contact, or at least 1-on-1 drills, which are more controllable from a physicality standpoint than 5-on-5.
Maybe the 76ers are taking a cautious approach, but can you trust that process? The Sixers’ medical staff proved anything but in 2016-17, with the lack of transparency about the health status of cornerstone players like Embiid. Not to mention, the minutes restrictions and no back-to-backs led to only 31 games.
It’s probably too soon to fire off alarms or raise red flags, but if Embiid isn’t fully healthy and participating in just about everything come training camp, which he thinks he’ll be ready for, then the Sixers are going to have problems this season.
No. 21 needs to be on the floor.
Period.
Before I forget…
-The sub-title is misleading. There’s no way I forgot about the Pete Rose situation that dominated conversation in the Delaware Valley all week. Whether the allegation of statutory rape is true, the admission by Rose of having a relationship in the early ’70s with a woman he believed was the age of consent of 16, while he was in his 30s, is tough to stomach. The Phillies did the right thing by completely cancelling any tribute to Rose, however there’s a much bigger issue. It’s squeamish thinking of what Rose was able to do in the ’70s, but hopefully it heightens awareness to make sure interactions like his many years ago never happen again anywhere and with anyone.
-Allen Iverson is wrong again for disappointing spectators of BIG3 basketball by unexpectedly not showing up to the Dallas visit this past weekend and then being nowhere near that city according to TMZ. Yet, no matter how irresponsible Iverson is, BIG3 deserves criticism as well for suspending him from the Lexington, Kentucky host date, thus keeping him from even more fans who want to watch him play, if he even is willing to do that.
–NFL.com reported Carson Wentz provided input as the Eagles were planning what to do in the off-season. Wentz downplayed the report, while admitting there were conversations within the legal limits based on communication restrictions. Either way, it’s excellent. Wentz is the franchise quarterback and as the Eagles’ brass builds the team around him, they should listen to what he has to say as well.
–Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks requested a trade after a significant drop in playing time last season. The Birds are correct not to adhere to his request. Depth at linebacker isn’t strong and Kendricks, believe it or not, is their third best linebacker at this time. He signed up for a contract and big pay day a couple of seasons ago and the Eagles should hold him to it because it’s in their best interest to do so.
Dave Uram is a weekly contributor to Philly Influencer. You can follow him on Twitter (@MrUram) and email him at [email protected].