It’s a miracle he even had the career he did

it even got up to -184 after his official rookie season. he only played 31 games before needing knee surgery, eventually missing 51.

I was actually in shock when the Sixers gave him a max extension after 31 games across 3 years (even with injury protections on it). Being worth that contract after all he went through was so improbable.

In my mind, Embiid is one of the greatest “what ifs” in basketball history. At his peak (ex: the start of the 2023-24 season), he was playing some of the highest level basketball EVER.

He could literally do it all. He was a 7 footer with guard skills on offense: with a deep 3 level scoring bag… who could hit 3’s, the midrange, and had the strength to dominate inside… who had the handles to self-create from the perimeter… who could playmake some and pass well too. And then, on defense, he was awesome too: a great rim protector who could lock down the paint… who had the mobility and agility to switch out to the perimeter effectively as well… who was also a monster at rebounding.

Every night he was dropping 30+ ppg on 65+% TS on offense, with excellent interior defense to boot. If he had managed to stay healthy, I FIRMLY believe Embiid could’ve taken the 76ers to a Finals, and won a ring and FMVP. It’s unfortunate he wasn’t able to be healthy for the playoffs… bc I am VERY sure he could dominate if he were.

Anyways — overall, it just frustrates me how fans talk about Embiid as if he’s a “bum” with a “pity MVP.” When in reality, a healthy Embiid would be right up there with Jokic, SGA, and Giannis as the greats of the post-Lebron/Steph era.

How so? That’s 40% games missed without counting those 2 years. And he was making supermax money over the vast majority of that time.

respect Embiid’s ability to work on his craft tho, he was absolutely insane at his short peak it’s a bummer we couldn’t see more, Zion is the same since his rookie year

im so confused, is zion williamson not the zion williamson of our era?

hes more like the bill walton of our era

Oh relax, the only thing they have in common is being sidelined by injuries, that’s where the similarities end. Unless Zion does something radical he’ll be a footnote, completely forgotten, unlike Embiid.

Despite how toxic it was with the fans the actual play in the mvp race against Jokic in 2023 was phenomenal. One of the best races I’ve seen.

with an mvp

The fuck does that even mean? Zion came after Embiid and they’ve had radically different levels of success

embiid was leading the mvp race in 4 straight seasons until a major injury occurred. Its not weird at all he has one and to call it disturbing is just a bit strange. One first, two seconds and ineligible for another but was on pace for unanimous in 24. Its not an anomaly, not even close.

That MVP was a farce. Absolutely a crybaby campaign, ultimately successful because of old-heads that were concerned with “what ifs” about comparing Jokic to other greats in the past in terms of MVP count.

Straight grabbed his leg while he was mid-air

Not just Mitch he’s deliberately hurt. People often label Draymond and Dort (rightfully so) as some of the dirtiest players in the league but Embiid is right up there, and might even be worse. Never felt sorry for his injuries and never will. 

I don’t think you can move him

How is it disingenuous? The guy was injured, which was the core part of this stat.

He wasn’t playing overseas like some other international players who delay their starts.

i guess he was being paid through those seasons, right? because i sort of agree with your point, but i guess if he’s on payroll it’s games missed. not like he was in europe deferring his draft