76ers' GM: Embiid healing 'faster than we anticipated'
Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie has faced his share of scorn for the clubs' tank-first approach in recent years, but it seems another step in "The Process" may be coming.
Hinkie provided an update Wednesday on 2014 third overall pick Joel Embiid, hinting the Cameroonian center's long-awaited debut could be on the horizon for the forlorn club after he missed nearly two years with a broken bone in his right foot.
"His bone is healing really well - a little faster than we anticipated," Hinkie told reporters at practice.
The 21-year-old was spotted participating in shooting drills, showing he clearly hasn't lost his touch from his days at Kansas.
@JoelEmbiid is fun to watch pic.twitter.com/lETvgEEAtO
— Dei Lynam (@dlynamCSN) January 13, 2016
Embiid underwent surgery on the navicular bone in his right foot in June 2014, just six days before Philadelphia drafted him behind Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker. He would miss the entire 2014-15 season.
The former Jayhawk suffered another setback almost exactly a year later when a CT scan revealed his injury hadn't healed as expected. He underwent a second operation in August 2015, drastically lowering his chances of making his NBA debut during the 2015-16 season.
However, with news that the 7-footer is recovering a little ahead of schedule, Hinkie showed renewed optimism in the Sixers immediate future.
"We planted seeds for a harvest. It's possible that harvest could come soon," he said.
Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in his solitary season with the Jayhawks in 2013-14.