Green gives Embiid bold advice on sitting back-to-backs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Draymond Green has spoken out about the controversy surrounding All-NBA center Joel Embiid’s comments about not playing back-to-back games for the rest of his career.
His message for the former NBA MVP?
On Friday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” the Warriors forward offered Embiid a blunt reality check on what his legacy could look like if he follows through with the Philadelphia 76ers’ “left knee management” plan.
“I think you should play as many games as you can, and I think you should average as many points as you can, and I think you should chase as many individual trophies as you can,” Green told co presenter Baron. Davis. “Because there is talk about winning a championship, you may never win one.”
The four-time NBA champion quickly clarified his comments, emphasizing that it is not impossible for Embiid, who has yet to lead the Sixers past the Eastern Conference semifinals, to win an NBA championship.
Green doesn’t want Embiid to limit his greatness on the floor in exchange for a potential ring.
“And I’m not saying he can’t win one, but what I’m saying is you may never win one, and then you’re selling yourself short of what we know you can do, which is getting an MVP. and leave,” Green added. “Like, we know you can. So let’s just say: I’m trying to maximize everything so that I can ultimately win the championship. But you need to know how to win a championship, and he doesn’t because he hasn’t done it.”
Embiid has yet to make his season debut as Philadelphia looks to prioritize the health of its star, prompting the league to launch an investigation into the player’s eligibility.
Last season, despite playing a record 39 games, the star center averaged 34.7 points, 11 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
Embiid has yet to prove whether Green’s good advice will be taken into consideration – and who knows if he will.
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