Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown says it's exciting news that Sixers All-Star center Joel Embiid has no structural damage in his shoulder.
Brown says the Sixers are going to need Embiid to lead the team for the rest of the season since point guard Ben Simmons may be out for a while with his back injury:
#Sixers coach Brett Brown on the relief that there’s no structural damage in Joel Embiid’s shoulder: pic.twitter.com/XCh22h6B4G
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 28, 2020
Embiid is averaging 23.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists on the season. He’s shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from beyond the arc and 81.4 percent from the free-throw line.
This year's playoffs are so critical for the Sixers after losing in the second round of the playoffs the last two seasons. Brown could possibly lose his job if Philly falters early in the postseason again.
Most pundits around the league also expect Philly to trade either Simmons or Embiid after the season ends if the Sixers don’t go on a deep playoff run. Since both players do their damage in the post (with Simmons lacking the ability to shoot), the Sixers have a shortage of floor spacing when the two All-Stars are on the court together.
Sixers general manager Elton Brand will have a lot of decisions to make if Philly doesn't meet expectations come postseason time. The Sixers are an elite team at home and a below-average team on the road. They have to figure out their road woes and get it together once April and May roll around.
The good news is that Embiid won't require surgery. He's already gone under the knife once this season for his hand injury.
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