CAMDEN, NJ — Just when you thought the world of the Sixers had reached maximum chaos, Joel Embiid appeared out of nowhere and sat down to discuss his lengthy absence and the next steps to enable a return to action after the Sixers practiced on Friday — a practice in which Embiid and Paul George both fully participated, including in five-on-five scrimmaging — a significant step for each.
Embiid said he will not play on Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. But, as is often the case, Embiid had a whole lot of other things to say. Let’s not waste any additional time:
• Embiid on whether or not he had a setback in his left knee:
“No. I had surgery in February. I did come back early to fight for the team and to play and try to give us a chance, and unfortunately we lost. I had time to recover, so really still been managing since the last surgery. Been managing, and trying to figure out the best approach. But feeling pretty good. I started doing some live stuff and it feels pretty good. So should be back pretty soon.”
• Embiid on the mental obstacles he must overcome:
“You need to feel 100 percent. I think over the years, I’ve done a lot and put myself at risk for the team, which I’m going to continue to do. But I think right now is the time to make sure that everything is great… It’s really being comfortable, trusting it. Being out, I want to be my best. I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m afraid…. The last surgery, I mentioned it so many times, it was probably the toughest mentally, and mentally I’m just dealing with getting that trust back.”
• Embiid on the difficulty of sitting out games as a competitor:
“Extremely difficult. I think everybody that knows me knows that I would love to be out there every single game. It’s just unfortunate that some [players] are not as lucky as others to be part of every single game. I wish that wasn’t the case, but it’s not for a lack of trying. It’s tough. Mentally, you can’t play, but still trying to get yourself mentally right to push. Everything is trending the right way.
• Embiid recounts prior injuries he says he has rushed back from and takes aim at a local columnist who he says suggested he is not focused enough on returning to the floor:
“I’ve broken my face twice, I came back early with the risk of losing my vision, had broken fingers, I still came back… When I see people saying ‘he doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done way too much. I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. So, I do think it’s bull****, like that dude, he’s not here, Marcus whatever his name is [Hayes]. I’ve done way too much for this ****ing city to be treated like this. Done way, way too ****ing much.”
• Embiid on if his participation in the Olympics has impacted this situation at all:
“No, I think I was fine. When you get a chance to compete for a gold medal, you can’t pass that up. I don’t care what anybody says… I wasn’t needed to do what I do with [the Sixers] carrying the load. Honestly, I did nothing. I was basically just being there. I had my little moment… I was happy just getting rebounds and setting screens and rolling and getting guys open and playing defense. I was happy doing that. So the load, really, I had nothing. I never put myself at risk of something happening. That was the easiest load I’ve ever had in my life. It was a great experience… I know it doesn’t mean anything to Americans, but a gold medal means a lot to me. And that was special.”
• Embiid on his hesitance to provide a specific timeline for his return:
“You can say, ‘Oh, I’m playing on Tuesday.’ But then again, what if something happens in between and you can’t make it now? Everybody’s all mad.”
About a dozen minutes later, Embiid concluded his media availability with five words: “It’s on the right path.”
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