The NBA Deep State is already launching an investigation in Joel Embiid and the 76ers’ load management plan

Drew Smith
October 23, 2024
Sixers
0 Comments

Here we go again. Honestly, I thought we would get a few games in before Adam Silver and the NBA Deep State decided to start screwing around with the Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid but sweet Jesus, we didn’t even make it to the home opener tonight.

The NBA is likely to commence an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers surrounding the player participation of All-NBA center Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN. More to come on NBA Today on ESPN right now. pic.twitter.com/WwZNHgLLcl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2024

Joel Embiid plans on missing the first few games of the 2024-25 NBA season and said on record last month that he’s prioritizing his health above everything this year, and now the NBA is ready to launch a full-blown investigation into the Sixers’ handling of their franchise player.

It’s barely the first week of the season, but apparently, that’s all it takes for the league to start sniffing around. In a move that screams “PR stunt” more than genuine concern, the NBA wants to make sure Philly isn’t “abusing” its new player participation policy.

But let’s be real here—the investigation is laughable and as usual reeks of misguided priorities.

The Sixers’ game plan for Embiid this season is as obvious as it gets. They want to keep him fresh for the playoffs, plain and simple. He’s skipping Wednesday’s opener against the Bucks, and won’t be on the floor against the Raptors or Pacers either.

According to the 76ers, Embiid is “responding well to his individualized plan,” with hopes that he’ll start ramping up with some scrimmages soon. But in today’s NBA, where new rules demand stars play consistently, the Sixers’ approach could be on thin ice.

This is all part of a broader strategy to ensure Embiid’s body holds up come playoff time. Daryl Morey isn’t hiding the fact that both Embiid and Paul George will be kept out of most, if not all, back-to-backs.

Daryl Morey on Joel Embiid and Paul George Load Management:

“We’re going to be smart about it,” Morey said in an interview with ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Embiid’s even more direct, admitting, “If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career.”

For a player with as many miles on his knees as Embiid, it’s not exactly a surprising stance.

And it’s not just about skipping games. Embiid has reportedly dropped 25 to 30 pounds in the offseason and plans to lose even more to take the load off those battered knees.

He’ll also be sporting a brace on that left knee for extra support—something he’s not thrilled about but knows is necessary.

This conservative approach is hardly a surprise given Embiid’s injury history. He played just 39 games last season due to various knee issues and was clearly not himself in the playoffs against the Knicks, where he battled not only knee pain but a sudden onset of Bell’s palsy. He still managed to suit up for Team USA at the Paris Olympics, helping them secure gold.

But now, with the NBA’s new player participation policy in place, the Sixers’ plan could be in hot water. The league wants its stars to play more, especially during marquee matchups, and they’ve got the penalties to back it up.

Any violation could mean fines, suspensions, or even losing draft picks—potentially putting Philly in a tough spot as they balance the desire to keep Embiid healthy with the need to comply with the league’s new rules.

For the Sixers, it’s a classic risk-reward scenario. They know how vital a healthy Embiid is to their postseason hopes, but they also know the NBA isn’t messing around with load management anymore.

Whether this plan works or backfires remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the Sixers are willing to roll the dice to keep Embiid in one piece for when it really matters.

So, how will this play out? Will the Sixers find themselves in the league’s crosshairs, or will they be able to manage Embiid’s workload without incurring penalties?

For now, it’s just another layer of drama surrounding a franchise that’s never short on controversy. But one thing’s for sure: come playoff time, Philly fans will gladly take all the heat if it means they finally have a healthy Embiid ready to make a deep run.

The 76ers haven’t played a single game yet and messaging on Joel Embiid has fans ready to jump off the Ben Franklin Bridge