With an annual salary of 55.2 million, he only played 6 games and got injured! The NBA’s fastest giant has regressed, and it’s time to consider retirement.

In the more than three weeks since the start of this season, there have been many stars who have received super maximum salaries but are unable to play due to injuries and cannot match their salaries, which has gradually aroused public opinion and media dissatisfaction. A typical example is Leonard. Since suffering an ankle sprain while playing against the Heat, there has been no update on his injury and he has only announced before every game that he will not play. In the words of Clippers general manager Frank, in addition to an ankle sprain, Kawhi also has a serious foot injury, and there is no specific timetable for his return. Kawhi's fall left Harden struggling to lead the team alone, but he couldn't see any hope. There is also James, who has been absent for a long time due to a sciatic nerve problem, but during his absence, the Lakers have 10 wins and 4 losses since the start, with a winning rate of over 70%. The outside world is worried about whether James will destroy the Lakers' newly established system.

There is a saying that "poor people must be hateful." In fact, some stars are really disappointing, such as Big Eyebrow. He did return to his familiar fourth position in the Mavericks, but it disrupted the entire team's lineup. He gained two laps. He really couldn't run in the fourth position and was also plagued by injuries. Including Paul George, who has a maximum salary of 51.67 million U.S. dollars and has paid for himself early, but to be honest, the team does not need him at all. His efficiency and contribution value last season were not as good as Oubre, who received a salary of 8 million U.S. dollars. But there is another star who has fallen all the way from the top player in the league in just over two years and has never been able to go back again, that is Embiid! The 76ers have a record of 7 wins and 5 losses since the new season, exceeding expectations. Embiid played 6 games and was injured again!

The situation is like this. From the opening game, Embiid can play normally. For example, in the first game against the Celtics, he only scored 4 points on 1 of 9 shots; then he scored 20 points on 7 of 11 shots against the Hornets. Embiid began to complain, thinking that he only had 20 minutes of playing time (injury management), so he might as well stay at home with his children. At the same time, Embiid had back-to-back load management this season. After that, he played 4 games, scoring more and more points, and his playing time gradually increased to 26 minutes. He averaged a total of 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, and his two shooting percentages were as low as 45% + 32%. Embiid's style of play has attracted a lot of dissatisfaction from the media. For example, he likes to hold the ball and does not like to participate in confrontations under the basket, which affects the team's overall rhythm and so on.

However, after playing the Raptors and back-to-back games with the Pistons, the Pistons had a load management truce. When the 76ers had just announced that Embiid could return for the game against the Celtics, Embiid himself felt obvious soreness in his left knee during pre-game training! Nurse was also helpless in the interview, saying that Embiid needs to undergo an MRI examination and discuss the next treatment plan with the team doctor. An MRI examination showed that Embiid did not have any structural problems with his knee, but he was under daily observation. In this way, they have not played a game for a week, and the 76ers will play the Clippers next. Embiid’s two knees have big problems! In the summer of 2023, Harden helped Embiid win his first career MVP trophy. At that time, the US media was overwhelmingly discussing that Embiid was already the number one player in the league.

But as Jokic won the championship, this discussion came to an abrupt end. After Harden left, although Embiid averaged 34.7 points, 11 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game in the 23-24 season, which was somewhat improved compared to the MVP season, he only played 39 games and his ball possession rate once reached 38%! Knee problems and ankle problems began to recur, which resulted in him playing only 19 games last season, and his averages dropped to 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. By March of this year, Embiid wanted to take the initiative to reimburse for the season, but the team did not allow it. He was forced to announce through the media that he was reimbursed for the season, and then explained to the team management. During the offseason, Embiid even flipped the table, saying that the team refused to acknowledge his injury and he could only ask reporters for help.

also specifically emphasized: "After I retire, you may never hear from me again. I can't wait." During the offseason, the Philadelphia media, including the 76ers team reporters, criticized Embiid, saying that he does not trust anyone. If anyone dares to disclose his injury to the outside world, it is equivalent to Embiid's enemy, and the team atmosphere is in a mess. But what value does Embiid have? This season has proven that the 76ers perform better when Embiid is away. Maxi averages 32 points per game. Oubre + Grimes + No. 3 pick Edgcum all have the ability to average 15+ per game. As a rebounding maniac, Drummond is enough to protect the inside. McCain is also back, and young men like Barlow and Edwards are growing rapidly. Do we still need Embiid?

When the team is on the court, the team outscores the opponent by 0.5 points per 100 possessions. When not on the court, the team outscores the opponent by 3.2 points per 100 possessions. With Embiid paired with Maxey + Grimes + Edgecombe, the team will lose the opponent by 7.5 points per 100 possessions! Embiid's annual salary this season is US$55.22 million, tied for second in the league with Jokic, but he has indeed reached the point where it is a pity to abandon him. Even if the 76ers want to trade him, there is no market value at all because he has difficulty staying healthy, just like Leonard. In just over two years, Embiid has been ignored by everyone. Perhaps playing has become a kind of torture for him, and he should really consider retiring.