Philadelphia 76ers Predictions for the Upcoming Season
When it comes to making predictions for the Philadelphia 76ers in the upcoming Eastern Conference season, uncertainty reigns supreme. If the team manages to stay healthy, they could be strong contenders for the championship, but that ‘if’ carries significant weight.
Injury Concerns
On the injury front, Paul George has recently undergone surgery on his knee, raising questions about his availability.
Meanwhile, former MVP Joel Embiid is adopting a more deliberate healing strategy this year, particularly after a challenging previous season marred by knee problems that restricted him to just 19 games following surgery.
Embiid’s Recovery Strategy
In an insightful interview conducted by Dotun Akintoye for ESPN, Embiid expressed his commitment to prioritizing his body’s readiness for the season ahead and emphasized that there won’t be a fixed timeline for his recovery. “We’re not going to push anything,” Embiid stated. He reflected on his career, noting, “For my whole career, I felt like we never took that approach… We don’t have a timeline. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”
The 76ers are optimistic that Embiid will be fit enough to join his teammates for training camp in September, coinciding with a re-evaluation of George’s condition. Last season, Embiid faced setbacks early on due to knee pain that kept him off the court. However, he did manage to return and perform at an elite level, averaging 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds over the span of his limited appearances.
Impact on Playoffs
His contributions were particularly crucial during his time with the USA Basketball team at the Paris Olympics, where he played a key defensive role against Nikola Jokic representing Serbia.
Embiid’s ultimate goal is to make a significant impact when it matters most, particularly in the playoffs, which is why he is taking this cautious strategy with his recovery. He has made it clear that he will be leading the way on decisions about his return, expressing a firm belief in the results-driven nature of the sport:
“The only thing I’d say is—this is a business. It’s all about the results… If I come back early enough and I’m still not myself, guess what? You’re not winning any games.”
This decision-making by Embiid signals a shift towards a more patient approach in which player health takes precedence in hopes of long-term success for the 76ers.
