Sports Illustrated has a great story on the troubles in Philadelphia, specifically the attitude of 2014 #3 pick Joel Embiid. Turns out, Embiid is flat out ignoring the team’s trainers and conditioning staff:
Embiid was determined to go to Vegas to party for the balance of the 10 days of summer league. While Embiid was in Vegas, he was mandated to wear the walking boot in advance of the second surgery, but Embiid not only refused to wear the boot, but he carried himself as if nothing was wrong with the foot, shooting jumpers and even occasionally dunking. These actions have given rise to the theory that Embiid actually re-broke his foot, rather than the initial injury not healing properly. It also led to Embiid having the surgery a month later than the club originally had hoped.
This type of disregard for instruction also extends to Embiid’s dietary habits. Per a source, the Sixers’ training staff was so concerned about what he was eating, they stocked the refrigerator in his downtown hotel residence each week with healthy food. When a staffer went to restock the fridge each week, most everything was uneaten and unopened, and they were throwing out the fruits and vegetables every week. When the team subsequently asked to see Embiid’s room service bill, they found that most days he was ordering junk food along with his signature beverage, a pitcher of Shirley Temples. Embiid also was frequently seen feasting on chicken fingers and hot dogs at and after games.
Refused to wear the boot? What an idiot. It’s one thing to eat like crap (like many 20-something year old athletes), but to flat out reject the orders of the medical staff?
There are other juicy nuggets in the story about how Sam Hinkie’s act is wearing thin among Philly’s ownership and front office.
It’s a shame the blatant tanking tactics of an old division rival aren’t working out so well.
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