"Flat out say that is such bad PR" - PGA Tour pro Michael S Kim shares controversial take on $85M-worth NBA star
PGA Tour pro Michael S Kim recently stated that NBA star Joel Embiid's workload was being managed because Embiid likely didn't want to spoil his average by playing for only a few minutes in the game. His comments came after former basketball star-turned-analyst Charles Barkley questioned Embiid's absence.
Embiid, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, missed 43 games last season due to a meniscus injury in his left knee for which he underwent surgery. He played in the Summer Olympics but then missed the preseason for load management before also missing the season opener on Wednesday, October 23.
This decision didn't sit well with Barkley, who slammed the 76ers and the $85 million NBA star.
Michael S Kim echoed Barkley's sentiments and shared a controversial take on the seven-time All-Star and 2023 NBA MVP.
"Why doesn’t he play 20min a game for the back to backs? Most likely because it would hurt his averages and he doesn't want that. To come out and flat out say that is such bad PR," Kim wrote on X.
Joel Embiid has struggled with foot and knee injuries throughout his career. He missed most of the first two seasons after being signed by the 76ers in 2014. Since then, he has played less than 52 games in four of the eight seasons and has never played more than 68 games in any season.
"The difference is NBA players are really tall" - Michael S Kim explains the reason behind more injuries in basketball
One fan pointed out to Michael S Kim that both the NBA and NHL play a similar number of games, yet it's basketball players who are required to manage their minutes, not hockey players.
Kim replied to the fan and explained his reasoning.
"The difference is NBA players are really tall and jump a lot which causes entanglement, twists and turns in their knees and ankles," he replied. "I don’t know exactly but I’d imagine torn ACL, Achilles, bad ankle sprains are more common in the nba. And hockey players are all a little crazy lol in a good way"
As for Kim, he last competed at the Shriners Children's Open, where he tied for fifth after shooting 18-under. This was his first cut in five starts since July and his best result of the season. His second top-10 finish of this year helped him move to 112th in the FedEx Cup standings.