NBA Rumors: Joel Embiid already being impacted by injuries this season?

NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid may be feeling the impact of an offseason injury.

Through the strong start of his career, there hasn’t been much that has negatively impacted Joel Embiid. No defense, and no limitations on the offensive or defensive end. Instead, the one thing that has hurt Embiid the most through his young career has been injuries.

And to start the season, it has been somewhat surprising to see Embiid come out cold. Again, when Embiid has been healthy, there’s not much that has stopped or limited him. However, through two games, Embiid has struggled.

Embiid may be averaging 21 points and 14 rebounds but he’s only doing so on 39 percent shooting from the field and 22 percent shooting from 3-point range. Generally, for the greats, it’s the efficiency that separates them from the rest of the league.

Joel Embiid has struggled with efficiency to start the season

At least so far this season, that hasn’t been the case for Embiid.

But there may be a reason why. According to Sixers head coach Doc Rivers, Embiid’s slow start may be due to some offseason plantar fasciitis that limited his conditioning.

And it may very well be a fair reason why there should be no concern regarding Embiid’s slow start to the season. It was also probably the smart choice. When Embiid doesn’t play for the Sixers, they fall from being a championship contender to just a good team.

And if the Sixers want to be the threat in the East that many believe they can be, they need a healthy Embiid. So if that meant Embiid taking it slow during the offseason to avoid carrying an injury into the season, so be it.

If the exchange ends up being a slow start to the season for Embiid, I’m sure that’s something the Sixers will gladly accept if it means a healthy version of their big man throughout the season.

Is it ideal that Embiid has gotten off to a slow start and, as a result, the Sixers are 0-2? No, absolutely not. But it’s not all bad news for the Sixers. While Embiid has gotten off to a slow start, the opposite has been the case for James Harden. He looks absolutely incredible through the team’s first two games.

Once Embiid finds his footing this season, the Sixers are going to be a nightmare to play. Philly needs to be patient. They will be fine.