Bell: How the Sixers' injuries will affect their playoff run
PHILADELPHIA (FOX 29) - The playoffs start Saturday, and the Philadelphia 76ers are already dealing with a big problem: Joel Embiid is listed as doubtful for Game 1 against The Brooklyn Nets with tendinitis in his left knee.
It's the same issue he's had for the entire second half of the season, and it's not going away in the playoffs. It's all about pain tolerance -- how much pain he can take while playing on that knee.
The injury alone creates a ton of problems that could get people fired, Brett Brown in particular. The Eastern Conference finals is the goal, and they can't beat the best teams in the East without a healthy Joel Embiid. They have enough talent to beat Brooklyn in the first round, but that's it.
In the second round, the Sixers will face the Toronto Raptors, who have more experience and talent up and down the lineup.
So as much as people want to blame Brett Brown's coaching and Ben Simmons' jump shot, the whole playoff experience depends on the Joel Embiid's knee.
My prediction is a second round knockout. If Embiid isn't giving them 27 and 13, the team isn't good enough to win.
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