Joel Embiid (Photo : Nick Laham / Getty Images Sport)
Joel Embiid has become a polarizing presence and possibly the biggest gamble that Philadelphia 76ers ever made.
That's saying a lot, considering what the Sixers have done in the past three seasons. Trading veterans to take risks on draft picks, the team is now in a quandary with what was supposed to be their biggest "steal."
Joel Embiid was hyped as the next important big man with comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon. However, the center has yet to play a single game and from the latest developments, that would not happen anytime soon.
His nagging injury continues to sideline him, but according to The Cauldron (via SI), that is no longer his only problem.
He has allegedly violated the doctor's orders, according to the report,in an incident in Las Vegas Summer League, "he was mandated to wear the walking boot in advance of the second surgery, but Embiid not only refused to wear the boot, but he carried himself as if nothing was wrong with the foot, shooting jumpers and even occasionally dunking. These actions have given rise to the theory that Embiid actually re-broke his foot, rather than the initial injury not healing properly. It also led to Embiid having the surgery a month later than the club originally had hoped."
There is even concern about his diet, as the report stated that Sixers' training staff stocked his hotel residence with healthy food but they ended up getting spoilt. Instead, he was munching on junk food and drinking Shirley Temples.
"When the team subsequently asked to see Embiid's room service bill, they found that most days he was ordering junk food along with his signature beverage, a pitcher of Shirley Temples. Embiid also was frequently seen feasting on chicken fingers and hot dogs at and after games."
Embiid himself confirmed the latter accusation with a tweet.
Man I'm so cheesed right now...... They don't make Shirley temples the same way everywhere
