"It f**ks the locker room" - Former NBA champion slams Joel Embiid's 'back-to-back' decision on 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been the talk of the town after the organization discussed its load management plans. According to the Sixers, they will avoid playing Embiid on back-to-backs to prevent their All-Star from getting hurt, and to avoid losing him for the postseason.

Most former NBA players were particularly critical of the organization's approach. Former champion Trevor Ariza is the most recent figure to discuss Embiid's availability. Ariza appeared as a guest on "All The Smoke," a podcast hosted by former players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.

Ariza's episode was released on Tuesday, and he was asked about the Sixers' situation with Embiid. Barnes asked the former journeyman about how he'd react to the circumstance if he were to deal with Philly and the All-Star big man.

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"He's not here for us, for real," Ariza said. "It's just selfish. Players understand that playing for a long time, that may be on their last contract or they actually are competitors, they going to gel the same way. How do you build chemistry? How am I going to listen to you, telling me what to do, you not even f**king playing on a back-to-back... it f**ks the locker room up too.

"If you have vets that are strong and understand what it takes to win, or come from playing with other players that actually f**king cared about practice and getting better, how can I listen to you if you telling me one thing but you sitting on the sideline half the time?"

So far this season, Embiid has not played a single game. He's been listed as out as he continues to deal with left knee management.

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76ers rule Joel Embiid out for fourth straight game

The Sixers have ruled out Joel Embiid for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Embiid will miss his fourth straight game of the year. On Tuesday, the 2023 NBA MVP participated in practice. However, Philly still hasn't listed the All-Star as available.

According to the franchise, Embiid's status will be reassessed later this week. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently addressed the star's prolonged absence.

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"We want these guys to play and we want them to be healthy and we want them to play great and we want them to play great all season," Nurse said. "Then my main focus is, I've got to do the job that I've got to do. I've got to try to get this team to play as good as it can tomorrow night. That takes a big chunk of my focus."

Aside from Embiid, All-Star forward Paul George will also miss his fourth-straight game due to a hyperextended left knee.

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