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Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid could miss 2014-15 season

By Andrew Melnick

Sep 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during media day at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during media day at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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In 2013, the Philadelphia spent a high draft pick on a big man (Nerlens Noel) who missed who did not see the court in his first year. They may be repeating that move this season.

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According to 76ers’ general manager Sam Hinkie, Joel Embiid could miss the entire season.

“I don’t know at this point. Right now, he’s in Philly and visiting with a variety of our medical professionals and going through tests,” Hinkie told Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’ll get a good baseline and then we’ll put together a rehab plan. He’s still in a boot. He was shooting threes on one leg in our gym [Monday]. I don’t know how it will play out. We’ll take an approach without knowing where the finish line is. We want to know how we can be sure to put him in a position to have a long NBA career. However long [rehab] takes will be however long it takes. In my experience with this injury, a very reasonable approach that our medical professionals take is to put these hurdles in place for them to rise above and then measure the symptoms and then let’s see what happens in the days after. Is there tightness or soreness or swelling? Does the MRI or X-ray show something different? When we set that road map, no one knows [how long it will take].”

The 76ers are obviously in no rush to win so they will likely give Embiid all the time he needs. Just like they did with Noel last season.

Embiid was ranked second among all prospects by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express (behind former Kansas teammate, forward Andrew Wiggins). Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 62.6% from the field, 20.0% from beyond the arc and 68.5% from the free throw line.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.

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