Sixers need to SHUT DOWN $100 million stars Joel Embiid and Paul George for entire season, claims ex-All star

Gilbert Arenas Advises 76ers on Handling Paul George & Joel Embiid Amid Injury Crisis

The Philadelphia 76ers have been hit with a series of setbacks this season, leaving the team and fans disappointed. Expectations were high after the franchise traded for Paul George to pair with Joel Embiid, hoping to contend for an NBA title. However, injuries and issues with load management have plagued the team, and the outcome has been far from what was anticipated.

Injuries Plaguing Key Players

So far, the 76ers’ season has been marked by the absence of both Embiid and Paul George, two key players in their quest for a championship. The franchise has invested around $100 million in salary for these stars, but out of the 25 games played, Embiid has only participated in seven due to health concerns. Meanwhile, George has missed 10 games, reportedly due to a knee injury. With so many missed games, fans are growing restless, and management is facing mounting pressure.

Gilbert Arenas Shares Blunt Advice

On the Gilbert Arenas Show, the former three-time NBA All-Star didn’t hold back in offering strong words to the 76ers organization. He advised them to cut ties with injured stars until next season:

“You should have cut the cord f*cking weeks ago. Embiid, cut. Paul George, we’ll see. If not, get healthy. They’re not going to help you win a championship this year, so if they can’t help you win a championship, shut them down.”
— Gilbert Arenas

Arenas argued that if Embiid and George are not going to contribute to a potential title run, the team should focus on protecting its investments. He suggested that the 76ers should shut down the players to give them the best chance for full recovery heading into the next season. The 76ers’ goal may need a reset, Arenas said, as it is uncertain whether the team will even make the playoffs this year, much less win the championship.

The Case for Letting Younger Players Step Up

Amidst these injury challenges, Arenas also suggested that the younger players on the roster should be given more responsibility. Without Embiid and George, the 76ers could look to the next generation of talent to step up and take charge. This would allow the star players to focus entirely on rehabilitation and prepare for the following season. While it’s a tough pill to swallow for fans, Arenas believes this course of action might be best in the long run.

Gilbert Arenas’ Criticism of Joel Embiid

Arenas has been openly critical of Joel Embiid for some time now. Earlier in the month, on his show, Arenas expressed frustration with the 76ers center, accusing him of being “too selfish” to let others take control when he wasn’t fully healthy.

“I am just gonna be honest. They don’t look happy when Embiid is out there. Yeah, you are good, but we’re sitting here practicing every day… and you are not healthy, and you are too selfish to take a back seat.”
— Gilbert Arenas

Arenas has also criticized Embiid’s fitness in the past, calling him “overweight” and “lazy.” Despite this, Arenas has admitted that when Embiid is at his best, he can be one of the league’s top centers and has compared his skills favorably to that of Nikola Jokic. However, Arenas believes Embiid’s leadership style and issues with load management need to be addressed for the team to succeed in the future.

Is it Time for a Shift in Focus?

As the 76ers continue to struggle with key players sidelined, Gilbert Arenas’ suggestion to temporarily shut down Joel Embiid and Paul George for the remainder of the season could be a necessary move. Protecting their health and ensuring they are at full strength for the next campaign may be the best path for the 76ers — even if it means focusing on player development this year. Time will tell whether the franchise will take this advice to heart and adjust their strategy moving forward.