It’s a Good Thing for Embiid and Simmons to Sit Out of the All-Star Game
News broke this morning that the Sixers two All-Star’s will not be participating at this year’s All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Ben Simmons was scheduled to suit up for team Lebron and Joel Embiid for team Durant. Both stars were ruled out by the league on Sunday morning after contact tracing linked them to have come in contact with a barber in Philadelphia who tested positive for COVID-19.
There is no word on Simmons or Embiid’s health COVID-wise yet, but assuming that they are okay, it is probably a good thing both sit tonight’s All-Star game out.
If there is one thing that can ruin Joel Embiid’s MVP campaign, it is an Injury. The Sixers big man is no stranger to them. Embiid missed his first two seasons due to an injury and has had multiple injuries pile up during his 5 year NBA career.
Lately, Embiid has been dealing with an ankle injury that nearly caused him to miss the Sixers’ last game against the Utah Jazz. Luckily enough, Embiid was able to power through and officially put his name as the front runner for MVP halfway through the season thanks to a game-tying three pointer and yet another 40 point game.
Embiid likely wasn’t going to play much due to his nagging ankle injury and the fact that the NBA All-Star Game in the year 2021 is not really a place for a Center. There was no way Doc Rivers, who is coaching this year’s All-Star game, was going to allow Embiid to rack up major minutes.
On the other hand, Ben Simmons and Sixers fans know all about injuries at the All-Star game as Simmons suffered a back injury at last year’s All-Star game in Chicago. The injury was supposed to have ended his season, but due to the hiatus, Simmons was able to make a comeback for the NBA Bubble in Orlando.
Simmons himself is no stranger to injuries, but not like Joel Embiid. Simmons also missed his first year in the NBA and while he has remained relatively healthy, you just never know what can happen.
Obviously, the health of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and their families are the top priority at the moment.
However, this incident with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons may be a blessing in disguise for the Sixers. As long as both Embiid and Simmons are healthy and able to compete upon the start of the second half, playing in a meaningless game and risking more injuries isn’t important right now. What is important is Embiid and Simmons being able to suit up on March 11 against the Bulls to continue the team’s run at a title.
Photo via USA Today Sports Bob Donnan
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