Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is set to undergo his second surgery on his left knee in the last 14 months as he looks to fix an issue that has plagued him throughout the 2024-25 season. He was limited to just 19 games as he looks to prepare to return at full strength.
One has to wonder about Embiid's future. He is now 31 years old and has dealt with a variety of injuries that have plagued him throughout his career. The big fella has put in an incredible effort to try and get himself in the best shape in order to avoid these ailments, but unfortunately, his body continues to fail him.
Former Sixer Marcus Morris Sr. hopped on ESPN's "First Take" to give his thoughts on Embiid:
I don't think Joel is done. I don't think that his story is finished. Right? When you talk about the dynamics of the front office and the way Daryl Morey carries his superstars, He's not holding them accountable enough, right? Having two surgeries in 14 months. Yes, he's injured, but it’s different things that you can switch? Right? Being there, being in the locker room, I can tell you firsthand, Daryl Morey does not hold Joel Embiid accountable, right? You need guys around him to hold him accountable. That has to start up top. Injuries happen. Why do these injuries happen? Because the player, or whoever it is, doesn't have the guys holding on to listen. You need to be in the best shape. Your diet needs to be perfect. He's a guy that's 7-foot-1, 280. His story is not yet finished, so I can't put him in that ‘what if’. I believe that this surgery, this two surgeries, actually wakes him up, right? You gotta have people around him. You build the team a different way going into this offseason, and you focus on making sure his diet is perfect. When I was there, he didn't have anyone to tell him day to day, that this is what it takes to make sure that you stay on the court. Yes, he was super dominant and I'm saying that because in the beginning I talked about him being one of the most talented big men I've ever seen, and that was him not in the best shape. That was him not really practicing. So now we get a guy, we get his diet down, we get his weight down. I still think it's a chance that Joel Embiid’s story is not finished, and he still gives the 76ers a chance of winning the NBA championship.
Former 76ers F Marcus Morris says Joel Embiid needs to be held accountable. Needs someone to clean up his diet, he thinks this second surgery in 14 months will be a wake up call to Joel. pic.twitter.com/kQXknJElLn
— Bleav In 76ers (@BleavIn76ers) April 3, 2025
The 2024-25 season is a lost one for Embiid and the Sixers, but with this latest procedure, the hope is that he can return and be healthy for the future. He is the engine that will drive this championship contending team so the Sixers have to be sure that he is at 100% before he returns to the floor.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Former Sixer Marcus Morris Sr. discusses Joel Embiid's latest surgery
