Knicks analyst contrasts Patrick Ewing with Joel Embiid amid 'game ready' claim: "He suited up & played his a** off"
Amid controversy surrounding Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid still not playing this season, NBA insider Shams Charania revealed what he's missing to return to the court. Talking with Malika Andrews on Friday's edition of ESPN's NBA Today, Charania said that Embiid wants to be 100% ready before he takes the court again.
"He wants to be 100% game ready with that left knee. ... He is almost there."
This update sparked a series of reactions on social media, including one from author, analyst, and Knicks superfan Tommy Beer.
Beer brought Knicks legend, Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing into the conversation, saying that the legendary center was almost never fully fit to play games, yet he made sure to participate every night. He also commended Josh Hart's heroics on Wednesday.
"This is what fans/pundits - understandably - get upset about... I'd guess there probably 5 games in his entire career that Patrick Ewing felt "100% game ready" - but he suited up and played his a** off every night. Josh Hart was far from 100% Wednesday but played a game-high 42 mins. If Embiid can give the Sixers 15 mins tonight, why not do that," Beer tweeted.
Patrick Ewing played 15 of his 17 years in the NBA with the Knicks and helped them to two NBA Finals appearances. Despite lingering knee issues throughout his career, Ewing played at least 76 games in 10 of his 15 years in New York.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid has dealt with injuries for several years now and his participation during the season has been affected by them. After representing Team USA in the 2024 Olympic Games, the 76ers decided to manage his knee injury and now it's unclear when he will be back.
Joel Embiid calls out reporter saying 76ers should refund fans for his absences
Amid all the criticism about his continued absence, the Cameroonian-born big man has had enough. After a media member asked whether the 76ers should refund season ticket holders because of his absence, Joel Embiid sent a clear message on Friday to the doubts about his desire to play.
"From what I can tell you...I have broken my face twice, I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I had broken fingers, I still came back. ... When I see people saying, 'He doesn't want to play,' I've done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk for people to be saying that.
"I do think it's bulls--- ... I've done way too much for this f------ city to be treated like this."
The 76ers are 1-3 to start the NBA season and they are yet to see Joel Embiid and Paul George return to action. Both stars returned to practice on Friday, but they aren't ready to play yet. Philadelphia still has high expectations for the season, but they need to be fully healthy to compete.