A meniscus damage is likely to be essentially the most harmful of all knee accidents for the straightforward indisputable fact that it’s not handled like a serious knee damage. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid simply underwent a process to restore a meniscus damage in his left knee, and will be reevaluated in four weeks, however for somebody along with his historical past of illnesses, the timeline ought to fall in a grey space, with the Philadelphia 76ers treating their franchise cornerstone with the identical youngsters’ gloves used within the early days of the Course of.
Chicago Bulls’ guard Lonzo Ball’s knee saga started with a torn meniscus a pair years in the past, and his profession is squarely in jeopardy. Former Boston Celtic and present Portland Path Blazer heart, Robert Williams tousled his meniscus previous to the 2021 NBA playoffs, returned for the C’s run to the Finals, and has since appeared in 41 video games over two seasons.
I don’t know what Williams would do now given his points with accidents following that close to Finals win. If Embiid thinks this staff may give him that type of shot at a title, OK, have at it. Williams was a few wins away from immortality.
Brandon Roy, who didn’t have nice knees to start with, tore his meniscus previous to the 2009-10 playoffs, got here again within the postseason, after which was out of the league three years later on the age of 28. I’m not a physician, but that’s three notable hoopers previously 15 years whose careers went off the rails following the seemingly innocuous damage.
When sports activities followers hear “torn ACL” or “ruptured Achilles,” the response is rightfully considered one of despair. These mishaps price an athlete a minimal of 9 months, with a max of a full season, if no more. Nonetheless, there needs to be an analogous degree of concern with menisci due to the thriller surrounding them. There isn’t a go-to option to deal with it as a result of the severity and sort of tears dictate the process.
From what I may collect via a cursory web search, Embiid underwent an uncomplicated meniscectomy, as opposed to meniscus repair surgery. The timetable to return to sports activities or heavy work from the previous is 4 to 6 weeks, which was the timeline given by the 76ers. For meniscus restore surgical procedure, the restoration interval is three to 6 months. There’s additionally a world wherein no process is required, with ice, ibuprofen and rest the recommended treatment.
That’s a wide selection of remedies, however three to 6 months, on the earth of sports activities, is a serious damage. If you happen to’re Philly, the one motive to hurry again Embiid is that if there’s a reliable shot at a title. Screw delight, expertise, or any of the opposite advantages from postseason play that aren’t a Larry O’Brien trophy. Can the 76ers win a championship this 12 months with Tyrese Maxey and a supporting solid that’s inferior to Boston, Milwaukee, Miami, New York and Cleveland?
As a Path Blazers fan, the lasting picture of Roy’s untimely return from his meniscus tear was the Phoenix Suns mercilessly double-teaming the All-Star guard throughout a first-round exit in 2010. Roy winced and cringed his option to a forgettable exhibiting, and wasn’t close to the place he wanted to be within the context of what’s requested of a No. 1 possibility within the playoffs, not to mention a rotation participant. Alvin Gentry isn’t a Corridor of Fame coach, however even he knew the perfect path to the convention semis was to drive Andre Miller and the remainder of the Blazers to beat him. (F-ck Andre Miller endlessly for that, by the best way, because the Suns doubled off him completely, and he was too scared/unable to take benefit.)
So, even after Embiid comes again, his playoff expertise goes to be hell. The Sixers are three-and-a-half video games from dropping to the play-in, and in the event that they do fall between seven and tenth over the subsequent 4 weeks, should navigate the East’s premier golf equipment within the first two rounds, and doubtless within the Jap Convention Finals, too.
That’s an absurd variety of double groups and bodily play to take care of coming off any type of knee process, no matter how the staff docs diagnose it. My recommendation can be to close down Embiid for the remainder of the 12 months, let Daryl Morey enhance across the periphery, and begin the 2024-25 season with a recent and totally wholesome franchise participant.
It sucks, I do know, however a potential various is sporting that Joel Embiid shir-sey as an ode to your favourite participant as a substitute of in assist of him.
