Joel Embiid Probably Won’t Play On Back-To-Back Nights Next Season

Brown stopped short of declaring the former University of Kansas standout will play in the season opener against the Thunder on October 26 but insists it’s a matter of when, not if, he returns.

That’s not surprising. With the logjam of frontcourt players that Philly have – including number one draft pick Ben Simmons, Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Dario Saric – Embiid doesn’t need to out his body on the line from the get-go.

“He needs to be the crown jewel, the centerpiece of our defense”, Brown said.

The additions of Simmons, Embiid and Saric, who played in Turkey for the previous two seasons, along with veteran guards Jerryd Bayless, Philadelphia native Gerald Henderson and Sergio Rodriguez, have Brown upbeat coming off of a 10-72 campaign.

“We will learn more about the restrictions that will come his way (but) what I see so far gives us great reason to be extremely excited”.

“And we are going to see the path of these young guys slowly start to look like they belong on an National Basketball Association court”, Brown said.

It is understood the 76ers are considering placing workload restrictions on the 22-year-old, such as banning him from playing him on back-to-back nights. “There”™s a lot of excitement because of his ability to play anywhere from power forward to point guard.

“I think we are all going to look back [on this season] and see did certain people improve,” Brown said.

Brown’s goal is to help Embiid, Simmons, Saric, and the other young players reach their potential.

“I am very happy watching him in a gym where he is very proactive”, said Brown, who anticipates opponents will play “three to four steps” off Simmons, to “bait and challenge him into shooting”.

That’s why he remains focused on developing a culture and teaching his offensive and defensive philosophies.

“Maybe not so much to the outside world, but if you really want to grow a program [it does]”.

If Brown’s instinct proves true, Simmons will certainly command his fair share of the conversation, and in a positive way, for quite some time.