It was all good just a day ago. The Philadelphia 76ers blew out the Miami Heat in the first game of their Eastern Conference playoffs series and the whole city was celebrating thanks to Ben Simmons excellent performance. The Phantom of the Process couldn’t cheer any more from the bench. The team set a franchise playoff record for most points score with 130. It was their first postseason win in six years. A perfect start to the playoffs for the “inexperienced” squad.
Then Game 2 happened and Miami stole one on the road.
Without being able to help on the court and only watching from the sidelines, Joel Embiid was nothing less than upset after the game. He took to social media to let people know exactly what he felt and he didn’t hold back.
Fans can understand his frustration, although the actual message will not be tolerated by some folks inside the organization. Watching the first two postseason games for #TheProcess young bulls is certainly something Embiid does not want to be doing, especially if he feels he can contribute as is.
The 76ers are surely taking things more cautious during this matter, not wanting to risk more injury for one of the cornerstones of the franchise. They rather rest him and let him heal than bring him back early and lose him for longer, theoretically.
Brett Brown explained why he thinks Embiid sent out that post on social media.
The series now goes back to Miami for Game 3 on Thursday, where we’ll see how each team responds to the mistakes of the first two games.
Can the more experienced Heat keep it competitive against the young Sixers?
Joel Embiid to ESPN on the frustration behind his IG post from earlier, “I promised the city the playoffs and I’m not on the court and I may not be on Thursday either. I wish more than anything that I was out there. I just want the green light to play.”
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 17, 2018