Joel Embiid is fired up for the NBA season, and he hasn't even played a minute on the floor yet. He won't be playing too many Minutes actually, as he will be put on a minutes restriction by the 76ers to start the season. Embiid is a man full of emotions, and it was pretty obvious he wasn't happy about how many minutes he will be playing, especially in their season opener. Sixers coach Brett Brown said that Embiid's minutes will be "somewhere like in the teens," for their season opener. Embiid had some colorful language expressing his displeasure with the restriction.
Embiid calls bull
Joel Embiid signed an extension worth $146.5 million earlier this month with the Sixers, which gives them more reason to be careful with their superstar big man. Embiid admitted that it was "disappointing," to hear about his new minute restriction, as he feels as though he is ready to go into the season.
Embiid elaborated on his minute restriction saying "That's f---ing bulls---. I wish I was playing more minutes. I think I'm ready. I think I'm ready for more than whatever number they have. I wish I was playing more, but we'll see how it goes."
Embiid was held to 15 minutes in the two preseason games he participated in, but every NBA star is limited in preseason games. Embiid is looking to pick up where he left off last season where he averaged 20 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 31 regular season games.
He played an average of 25 minutes to achieve those stats, so playing him anything below that might not result in the impactful play he is known for.
Slow and steady
The Sixers cautious approach to Embiid's playing time is understandable. Embiid didn't play for his first two seasons with the Sixers as he was dealing with a foot injury that happened during his time at Kansas.
Embiid was limited to 31 games this past season with a left knee injury that ended his season. The 76ers have a bad history when it comes to health and the centerpieces of their roster, as Ben Simmons missed his rookie season due to a broken foot.
Embiid knows that his voice is heard and that he will be petitioning for more minutes telling Philly.com, "I got a voice.
They got to listen to me...I should play 30 minutes or more. They are going to hear me. We are going to discuss."
Embiid will look to get more minutes, but he should expect that at a later point in the season, maybe ten games in. The Sixers are trying to make sure their prized player is 100 percent ready for when they really need him later in the season. As for now, fans can expect to see Embiid in short burst when he takes the floor against the Wizards Wednesday night.
