Philadelphia 76ers alum Lou Williams is asking some real questions for his former team.
The former Sixer, who played in Philadelphia from 2005 to 2012, wonders what exactly the Sixers’ direction is. More specifically, he believes their best option is to shut down the oft-injured star Joel Embiid on Run it Back.
“You’re not playing your best basketball. You’re not even healthy with Paul George being in and out of the lineup. Tyrese Maxey is in and out of the lineup. You can’t find that consistency that you want to if you are the Philadelphia 76ers. If you’re the management, what are you waiting for? I’d be thinking long-term, going ahead and shut him (Embiid) down,” Williams said.
He explained further why that’s the best long-term option for the Sixers.
“Give (Embiid) an opportunity to be healthy as much as he can. As much as this is gonna hurt, as much criticism as you gonna take from your fanbase, you gotta put yourself in the position of doing what’s best for the organization in the long term. So, if this is not something that is going to get better for Joel Embiid, and we’re going to see him limping every night, by all means, shut him down,” Williams concluded.
Embiid already has a very long injury history, even before all that transpired this season.
What would happen if the Sixers shut Embiid down
If the Sixers shut down Embiid for the season, that puts them in a position to tank. This would be somewhat convenient, as the Sixers owe the Oklahoma City Thunder a top-6 protected pick from the Al Horford trade in 2020.
Currently, the Sixers reportedly plan to keep things going as they are. In other words, they’re not tanking.
However, details regarding when Embiid will come back remain scarce. Williams might be onto something here if things don’t get on the right path soon. The Sixers have won more of their games lately, but the sample size is too small for anyone to conclude that they will turn their season around.
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