The Philadelphia Sixers’ three-time All-Star center must report back to the team after the shutdown in optimum shape, something he rarely does, in order for them to make a championship push. Folks are excited about Ben Simmons’ expected return from what the team labeled as a lower-back pinched nerve.
One has to assume the Sixers coaching staff is trying to figure out ways to better utilize Al Horford while playing alongside Simmons and Embiid. And perhaps the Sixers have a better sense of their rotation since the season was shut down on March 11. Horford and Embiid did have a solid pairing while starting together again in a blowout victory over the Detroit Pistons on March 11 moments before the league shut down.
Embiid had a team-high 30 points to go with a game-high 14 rebounds after missing the previous five games with a left shoulder sprain. Horford had 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. In addition to serving as the starting power forward, Horford also was Embiid’s backup at center. So the two weren’t always on the court at the same time.
But one can argue the spacing wasn’t an issue only because Simmons was sidelined. That’s why I have Horford going back to being Embiid’s backup. Simmons will be listed as the point guard, but could actually be a point forward while Milton plays point guard.
But let’s keep it real. They’re not going to make a serious championship push unless Embiid is in shape and healthy. So I will only have optimism if he’s in shape.
He was expected to lose his gig if the Sixers didn’t reach the Eastern Conference finals. Despite falling short of that, Brown was able to retain his job, in part due to the heartbreaking way Philly concluded its season. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Sixers, 92-90, in Game 7 of the semifinals. Kawhi Leonard’s 21-foot, fadeaway jumper at the buzzer that bounced four times on the rim before dropping through the net.
So that defeat, basically, just bought him some time. The expectation is a deep playoff run could help him save his gig.