Embiid: Knee injury 'turned out to be nothing'
Joel Embiid's rookie season was equal parts euphoria and frustration. The Philadelphia 76ers center proved that, when healthy, he can be one of the game's most unique and dominant big men. He also proved that health for him is, and may continue to be, elusive.
After missing the entirety of his first two seasons due to a foot fracture that refused to heal, Embiid was a revelation when he finally took the floor. But he played just 31 games before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The good news: his injury apparently wasn't as serious as initially believed.
"I feel very lucky," Embiid told ESPN's Jackie MacMullan. "When I went into that surgery, I went in thinking I was going to have a six-month recovery. That's what they told me: six months or more. I'm thinking, 'No, not again.'
"When they did the MRI (before the surgery), it looked like my meniscus was fully torn. But when they got it in there, they realized that wasn't the case. It really turned out to be nothing, just a small, little thing. So that's very good."
Even having played less than half the season, Embiid still finds himself very much in the Rookie of the Year conversation. He was unquestionably the league's best debutant when he played, and arguably made the greatest impact even given the time he missed.
Had he played enough games to qualify, he'd have led the rookie crop in points (20.2), rebounds (7.8), and blocks (2.5) per game. Those numbers translate to an astonishing 28.7, 11.1, and 3.5 on a per-36-minute basis. In 31 games, he still topped the field in both total blocks and free throws attempted and made. The 28-54 Sixers outscored opponents by 3.3 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.
"I realize I have to take better care of myself," Embiid told MacMullan. "I didn't realize how good I could be. Especially seeing what I accomplished this year ... I want to keep on getting better. ...
"I'm just thankful that I am OK. I can't wait to play again."