A Closer Look at Joel Embiid's Injured Foot

[shoes22]

You guys have to remember, it was the Cavs themselves that discovered the foot issue, and at the time they didn't seem too concerned.

 

[Zen]

You guys have to remember, it was the Cavs themselves that discovered the foot issue, and at the time they didn't seem too concerned.

I don't think I've ever seen a team have a guy in for a workout and then send a press release saying they are concerned about an injury. Also, with the rumors that there were multiple red flags, not just the foot, I would say it is next to impossible that we take the guy.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Don't get my hopes up.

 

[shoes22]

I don't think I've ever seen a team have a guy in for a workout and then send a press release saying they are concerned about an injury. Also, with the rumors that there were multiple red flags, not just the foot, I would say it is next to impossible that we take the guy.

But it's just that...rumors. What good would it do to let out that the foot injury really isn't that bad and have him snatched up early? I can understand not picking Embiid at 1, but if the Cavs really are looking to trade down, it's in their best interest to keep quiet.

 

[Redzone]

The Cavs said that they wanted to take a look at Embiid's post op records and film, but I haven't heard anything further about this. One would think we would be hearing something about this, good or bad, even if they are just rumors. The silence in this regard is interesting. Maybe nothing. Maybe something.

If they were not high on him now; you would think the Cavs would be still touting him to improve trade offers; but if they really are still high on him and are thinking about trading down slightly and still take him, maybe they would be silent on the issue.

Maybe I'm thinking too much. Maybe this draft needs to happen already...

 

[brooks]

The Cavs said that they wanted to take a look at Embiid's post op records and film, but I haven't heard anything further about this. One would think we would be hearing something about this, good or bad, even if they are just rumors.

I'm sure they'll get some helpful info soon if they haven't already, but it's a tough call when it comes to these type of injuries. If I remember correctly, Z had multiple surgeries fail before having pins placed in his foot, and fortunately for him that treatment saved his career. Yao had pins placed in his foot only to have it ruin his career.

If you consider that stress fractures are prone to reoccur given the very nature of the term - thin cracks that are caused/inflamed by pressure - coupled with the fact that there are now multiple screws in his foot, there's no guarantee his surgery will be a success. I'm sure he's receiving world-class care, but if the screws aren't placed perfectly, if the bone doesn't re-grow and heal properly, if he manages to apply too much pressure too soon and re-aggravate the injury - there's a major problem going forward. Being 7'1 and having developed a stress fracture in your back a few months prior is not a good sign no matter how you slice it; regardless of how fluid of an athlete he is, he'll always be more prone to injury than the average person due to his size/length.

Typically, this type of surgery is a "what else can we do" measure rather than the norm. I'm not a doctor obviously, but I've had re-occuring stress fractures in my foot and I have several screws placed throughout my leg; from everything I've learned and read over the years for my own benefit, in addition to my curiosity in Embiid's situation, if the stress fracture wasn't serious, there were no need for the pins - he'd have a cast/brace and be told to keep off it for a couple of months. It's possible that stress fractures on 7 footers are treated with the upmost caution and the go-to option for these scenario's nowadays is always heal-via-pins, and it's possible that professional athletes undergo different procedures - I have no idea.

He'll be asked to keep off of his foot for 6-8 weeks either way. His healing progress will be evaluated throughout and following that time-span, and he'll continue to be monitored for months after he steps back on the floor in case the healing process didn't go as planned.

Odds are the surgery will go well if he's not prone to these type of injuries, but based on recent history, it's hard not to wonder if he is. That will be the game-changer, and I'm not sure it's something our med staff will be able to confidently predict. Most surgeries are successful, but the navicular bone in particular is prone to re-injury given it's location in the foot.

We'll see on draft day. Someone's going to take a gamble on him, but the cause for concern is legitimate no matter what the post-op records show.

 

[MirORich]

All of the "red flag" talk is media speak up to this point. I mean, he definitely has medical issues, but other than the Bucks owner, you haven't heard any team (especially the Cavs) say that the injuries were bad enough that he won't fully recover in their opinion.

I still doubt they take him #1, but if they really think that the foot injury isn't a long term issue, then the trade down to #3 is very real.

I would say that a confirmed foot surgery with two pins inserted and a best case scenario of 4-6 months missed plus long term concerns and then a reported and confirmed stress fracture in the back that caused him to miss to miss the finall games of B12 play, the B12 tournament, and the NCAA tournament are much more than "media speak"

All the medical reports following up those things just address whether the backed is healed(for now) and the foot surgery went "well" It does nothing to address the fact that both of those injuries will be risks for his career going forward, above and beyond the normal risks that every player in the league assumes, and before he's every stepped on an NBA court and attempted to play an 82 game season.

Even if he reaches his skill potential, the massive risk of in season time missed and especially playoff time missed will always be there. That's best case scenario. Having a ton of money tied up in a player that has a massively higher percentage of serious/continual injuries than other players.

The downside? It's beyond massive. Like Greg Oden, Brandon Roy massive.

There is very little middle ground.

I wish none of this was true. I wish we could take him. But we can't. Not at 1.

 

[Snarly]

I would say that a confirmed foot surgery with two pins inserted and a best case scenario of 4-6 months missed plus long term concerns and then a reported and confirmed stress fracture in the back that caused him to miss to miss the finall games of B12 play, the B12 tournament, and the NCAA tournament are much more than "media speak"

All the medical reports following up those things just address whether the backed is healed(for now) and the foot surgery went "well" It does nothing to address the fact that both of those injuries will be risks for his career going forward, above and beyond the normal risks that every player in the league assumes, and before he's every stepped on an NBA court and attempted to play an 82 game season.

Even if he reaches his skill potential, the massive risk of in season time missed and especially playoff time missed will always be there. That's best case scenario. Having a ton of money tied up in a player that has a massively higher percentage of serious/continual injuries than other players.

The downside? It's beyond massive. Like Greg Oden, Brandon Roy massive.

There is very little middle ground.

I wish none of this was true. I wish we could take him. But we can't. Not at 1.

Yeah it scares me and yo be honest, This Is a gamble In every sports game as the player thinks they can just switch sports and their body will be fine. Basically and I know the body can hurt Its self just by a simple muscle movement. I once hurt my foot so bad by a simple movement that felt like I had a broken foot for a week. Then my calf locked up and I cramped. Basically bottom line is you can not do what you think you can. If nothing else this shows he loves and wants to be great. He Is worth a coin flip. In other words you get him but you trade down to do so at least you have something now if he does not work out later.

 

[getBUCKED]

Kotoch on 92.3 this morning saying the Cavs still have Embiid on their board and would like to trade down to the Magic deal of 4,12, and Afflalo to still take him. 12 would be used to take an instant impact rookie and Afflalo would also make an instant impact. He says they think he's the best player in the draft still, doesn't know about medical records.

 

[daytripper]

I was listening to sports talk radio out here in LA last night. They were saying Embiid has bone density issues and hepatitis in addition to the back, leg, and foot problems. So much information (or is it misinformation) considering the Cavs' are the only team whose doctors actually examined Embiid.

If the Cav doctors deem Jojo's prognosis is good enough then I would be fine if they trade down a few spots to draft him while picking up other assets that could help them immediately. Otherwise I hope they stay at #1 and pick Wiggins.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

I would say that a confirmed foot surgery with two pins inserted and a best case scenario of 4-6 months missed plus long term concerns and then a reported and confirmed stress fracture in the back that caused him to miss to miss the finall games of B12 play, the B12 tournament, and the NCAA tournament are much more than "media speak"

All the medical reports following up those things just address whether the backed is healed(for now) and the foot surgery went "well" It does nothing to address the fact that both of those injuries will be risks for his career going forward, above and beyond the normal risks that every player in the league assumes, and before he's every stepped on an NBA court and attempted to play an 82 game season.

Even if he reaches his skill potential, the massive risk of in season time missed and especially playoff time missed will always be there. That's best case scenario. Having a ton of money tied up in a player that has a massively higher percentage of serious/continual injuries than other players.

The downside? It's beyond massive. Like Greg Oden, Brandon Roy massive.

There is very little middle ground.

I wish none of this was true. I wish we could take him. But we can't. Not at 1.

Ultimately your doctors have to determine if these injuries are part of the maturation process as he has become taller and the sport more demanding, or if they are just an irreversible part of his body construction. Many basketball players have bounced back from injuries as a teen to have no physical issues as an adult. But as you point out, there are enough examples of the injuries being chronic to be scary. If he can play 75-82 games a year and 35 minutes a night, I have no doubt that he will be a stud. But Bill Walton was amazing until he broke down. I don't take the risk with such quality alternatives available.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Kotoch on 92.3 this morning saying the Cavs still have Embiid on their board and would like to trade down to the Magic deal of 4,12, and Afflalo to still take him. 12 would be used to take an instant impact rookie and Afflalo would also make an instant impact. He says they think he's the best player in the draft still, doesn't know about medical records.

Kotoch is also always wrong when it comes to the Cavs, so take everything he says with a bucket of salt.

 

[TwoPistols]

I like hearing about how doctor's will have to determine how it will impact him and make the call about his future. Truthfully, these doctor's can't predict anything. It's a matter of personal opinion and what their experiences have been. Anything can happen. It's really way too much to gamble on passing up 2 potential stars for a guy who might be perennially injured. I think the absolute best case scenario for the Cavs is to draft Wiggins or Parker at 1, pray that Embiid falls, and move back up to get him.

 

[sailfish]

Kotoch on 92.3 this morning saying the Cavs still have Embiid on their board and would like to trade down to the Magic deal of 4,12, and Afflalo to still take him. 12 would be used to take an instant impact rookie and Afflalo would also make an instant impact. He says they think he's the best player in the draft still, doesn't know about medical records.

Kotoch's sources are other agents, so who knows what's accurate. He was one of the few guys who said the Cavaliers were strongly considering Andre Drummond in 2012 and that turned out to be correct.

4, 12, & Afflalo is a pretty nice haul for the top pick. I would insist that Orlando take back Jarrett Jack's salary in the deal. I'd also rather have Tobias Harris either instead of Afflalo or the #12 pick. If the Cavaliers do acquire Afflalo then it would presumably make Dion Waiters trade bait.

 

[Green Lantern]

4, 12, & Afflalo ...no that wouldn't be bad, but I'd still want more.Gimmie both..:chuckles: