Embiid setback has Sixers rethinking Russell

[LarBrd33]

according to Mannix at cnnsi, Embiid's setback has the Sixers looking at Porzingis and Winslow a bit more heavily than before his injury.

This is why philly fans think it's a conspiracy.  The 76ers obviously want Russell, but it's in their best interest not to make that clear.  If they give the llusion they are comfortable taking a big man, it might help them on draft night.  Otherwise, a top 2 team can just take Russell and force Philly to give up assets to take him.   

It's a conspiracy, but it makes some sense.   I'm taking everything i hear leading up to the draft with a grain of salt.

[LarBrd33]

I think leaking this was the reason for putting out the report on Embiid in the first place.

This is draft gamesmanship.

That's a very prominent theory amongst Philly fans right now.  Nothing in the embiid report was clear... just that he's not fully healed yet.  The timing was curious.  It came right after Russell cancelled his workout with Philly... and on the heels of several rumors that the Lakers might take Russell #2 and trade him down to the Knicks to get a big man that Philly will pass up on.   Whole thing is nutty.  We'll see what happens.

[celticsclay]

I think leaking this was the reason for putting out the report on Embiid in the first place.

This is draft gamesmanship.

That's a very prominent theory amongst Philly fans right now.  Nothing in the embiid report was clear... just that he's not fully healed yet.  The timing was curious.  It came right after Russell cancelled his workout with Philly... and on the heels of several rumors that the Lakers might take Russell #2 and trade him down to the Knicks to get a big man that Philly will pass up on.   Whole thing is nutty.  We'll see what happens.

I don't see how any front office type would know what Philly was going to do. They could take okafor or towns if they were available and the best value and flip one of their other guys. I don't really get how leaking a story about a franchise player being injured makes them any less or more likely to do that.

[D.o.s.]

I think leaking this was the reason for putting out the report on Embiid in the first place.

This is draft gamesmanship.

That's a very prominent theory amongst Philly fans right now.  Nothing in the embiid report was clear... just that he's not fully healed yet.  The timing was curious.  It came right after Russell cancelled his workout with Philly... and on the heels of several rumors that the Lakers might take Russell #2 and trade him down to the Knicks to get a big man that Philly will pass up on.   Whole thing is nutty.  We'll see what happens.

I don't see how any front office type would know what Philly was going to do. They could take okafor or towns if they were available and the best value and flip one of their other guys. I don't really get how leaking a story about a franchise player being injured makes them any less or more likely to do that.

"Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line"

[PhoSita]

What has Philly done so far in their rebuild that makes you think they would take anybody other than the guy they think has the greatest chance of reaching superstardom?  Since when do they care about roster fit?

[colincb]

I think leaking this was the reason for putting out the report on Embiid in the first place.

This is draft gamesmanship.

That's a very prominent theory amongst Philly fans right now.  Nothing in the embiid report was clear... just that he's not fully healed yet.  The timing was curious.  It came right after Russell cancelled his workout with Philly... and on the heels of several rumors that the Lakers might take Russell #2 and trade him down to the Knicks to get a big man that Philly will pass up on.   Whole thing is nutty.  We'll see what happens.

Wasn't a very prominent theory amongst Philly fans the last time I looked. In a poll at the Philadelphia Enquirer today, a majority now think it was a mistake to draft him, which doesn't lend much to your claim. Your theory doesn't make a lot of sense either. LAL's not going to screw around working a deal with NY, whose cupboard is bare in terms of tradeable assets. Anyway, Embiid's back in a boot now.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20150615_News_of_Joel_Embiid_s_slow_recovery_leaves_Sixers_with_questions.html

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

what the heck is wrong with the guy

If we had drafted him last year, most celtics fans would be calling for Ainge's head right about now. This guy hasn't even managed to practice in a year and a half.

Uhh... He's been practicing for months.