Why You Don't Build Franchises Around Injured Superstars

Whenever it comes to discussing the best player to build a franchise around, I'd personally go with Giannis in first place and Luka in second.  And, if I'm really feeling loose that day, I may even throw Jokic's name into the conversation.  But I never go with Embiid even though I feel that, when he's on the court, he's more effective than Jokic.

And that's because, how often is he on the court?  Having the best player on your team also being the most injury prone kinda defeats the purpose.

Kawhi Leonard, imo, has been the most influential player of the last decade.  The way he was bouncing around a couple of seasons ago significantly impacted a number of teams.  For example, if he didn't go to the Raptors - just for a single season mind you - the Sixers would have likely made it to the Finals.  And at first, it looked like they were bound to get another opportunity.  But then Jimmy Butler left and now, Ben Simmons.  And as for Embiid, he's re-injured at like the worst time imaginable.

And I'm not counting the Sixers out.  They did after all beat the Heat without Joel (and the Beard, if I remember correctly) just a few weeks ago.  But come on.  After Embiid, they're now relying largely on another injured superstar in James Harden.  And he has one of those types of injuries where even if he's on the court, you can just tell that he ain't what he used to be.

If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that NBA players have not gotten stronger over time.  Your father's NBA stars were a lot healthier than these dudes.  The term 'injury-prone athlete' is almost like an oxymoron, because athletes are supposed to be like healthier than the rest of us.  And I know that Luka is pretty accident prone himself.  But it remains to be seen if his situation will get as bad as Embiid who, if I remember correctly, came into the NBA injured.

CONCLUSION

The Sixers shot themselves in the foot trading Harden for Simmons.  Simmons is not only an all-star level player but more importantly one who doesn't get regularly injured, which is kinda rare these days.  The one good thing about Ben Simmons, when he actually played, is that the Sixers still had a healthy All-Star when Embiid was inevitably hurt.  But that's not the case now, and it's hard to imagine them getting past Miami like this.  And I haven't really heard Tyrese Maxey's name since the Playoffs started.