Opinion: Joel Embiid's Frustrations Are Justified

Opinion: Joel Embiid's Frustrations Are Justified

The Philadelphia 76ers have kickstarted their 2024-25 campaign, but Joel Embiid has not. He has missed games due to having to rehab a knee injury. Sixers media and fans have criticized Embiid for missing the start of the season in large part due to his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Embiid expressed his frustrations to these denunciations in a recent post-practice interview. He stated, "I've broken my face twice, I came back early with the risk of losing my vision, had broken fingers, I still came back... I've done way too much for this ****ing city to be treated like this. Done way, way too ****ing much."

These comments frustrated some media members and fans even more; however, these comments are justified. Embiid has the right to be upset with the people that have made negative remarks regarding him being absent to the start of the season.

His Health Should Be His Top Priority

Professional athletes have their health studied and analyzed more than most people; their injuries and sicknesses are often public knowledge. Joel Embiid has had many health concerns throughout his career. Because of that, fans and media are often less empathetic when a new ailment pops up.

Yes, he may get paid millions of dollars to play; however, there is nothing illegal about him managing his health. Regardless of how much he makes, he does not owe playing during a vulnerable state to anybody. He has done that before in his career, and when he returns in 2024, he will do it again. He has the right to sit out of games if he physically feels like the risk of reinjury is high.

He Earned Playing in the Olympics

It is reported that 0.0000017% of the world's population will become Olympic athletes; that is one in 500,000 people (2024). The people who are upset with Joel Embiid being unhealthy to start the new season blame his injury on his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It is human nature to critique other people without seeing the other person's point of view. The truth is, most people would jump on the opportunity to participate in the Olympic games if they had the chance and skills to do so. It is immoral to be upset with another human for accepting an opportunity that will likely come once in a lifetime to him. It is even more unprincipled for Americans to be upset with him for helping the country with a gold medal.

He Is More Valuable in June Than September

For most of Joel Embiid's career, he has been healthy and dominant in the regular season; in the playoffs, he has often been injured. Many people have criticized Embiid for that, but a lot of those same individuals are criticizing him now. Albert Einstein once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Embiid managing his health now is him doing something different. He is more valuable to the 76ers in the months of April and May than he is in September and October. If he thinks that load managing at the start of the season can help him be healthy for the post-season, he should continue to listen to his intuition.