Philadelphia 76ers rookie Joel Embiid knows a thing to two about injuries. He spent the first two years of his NBA career on the sidelines with persistent foot injuries, similar ones that hampered the careers of Yao Ming and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Embiid has come back strong and dominant for the resurgent 76ers, and they should be even more fun with the nearing return of rookie Ben Simmons. But in the time between Simmons’ surgery and his return, Embiid has been there for the rookie.
Things could get lonely when injured and isolated from practices and games, so Embiid has helped Ben Simmons in a way that Nerlens Noel helped Joel two years ago. Embiid had this to say to CSN Philadelphia’s Jessica Camerato:
“Nerlens, when I got to Philly, showed me around. At first when I was traveling on the road, I was always with him. You’ve also got the coaches, mainly (assistant director of player development) Chris Babcock, is always texting me, always with me. It was mainly Nerlens, we’ve been close since I got to Philly.”
Nerlens Noel was similarly injured in his rookie season, so he knows the pain of having to sit out. Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner helped Noel along, so the idea has essentially been passed down several iterations of the Sixers.
On New Year’s Eve, Ben Simmons posted a photo on Instagram of him with teammates Embiid, Noel, TJ McConnell, and Nik Stauskas. Embiid said it came together from simple text messages to one another, but knows having Simmons there meant a lot.
“That’s something I feel like Ben is going to appreciate a lot because I was in that type of situation,” Embiid continued to Camerato. “When I was by myself I felt kind of left alone and when I had guys around me it just made me feel better.”
Sixers’ coach Brett Brown was very happy to see the photo, brining a smile to his face. He spoke about the importance of building continuity on and off the floor.
“To grow that type of thing off the floor is the holy grail,” Brown said to CSN Philadelphia. “You combine that work they’re doing on the floor with stuff where they interact and coexist, it’s not the be all or end all, but it certainly helps. That stuff is very pleasing to me.”
While the Sixers build a young core on the court, they are continuing that sentiment off of it. It is hard not to smile at the growth Philadelphia has made as Joel Embiid helps them push for a playoff spot.
