Not Joel Embiid, This $211 Million Superstar Deserves the Kawhi Leonard-Treatment, per ex-Champ

The Philadelphia 76ers’ luck couldn’t have been worse. Over the past few years, the team has struggled with injuries and unfortunate circumstances, consistently derailing their chances at a championship. Four decades later, there was renewed hope when Paul George joined the team, forming a big three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Unfortunately, before they could even get started, an injury struck, spoiling their plans. However, a former NBA champion has suggested a Kawhi Leonard-like solution to keep their championship hopes alive.

It’s clear we’re talking about Paul George, who signed a blockbuster 4-year, $211 million deal with the Sixers this summer. In a recent preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks, George hyperextended his left knee while guarding Jalen Johnson. The 34-year-old left the court, and the team quickly ruled him out after an MRI revealed a bone bruise. This incident occurred shortly after Joel Embiid made a concerning statement.

The Cameroonian big man, who is still recovering from his knee surgery, said, “If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career.” Unfortunately, fans, who expected the Sixers to dominate the league, ended up witnessing their two best players injured before the start of the season. Amid this concerning situation, former NBA Champ, Nick Young A. K. A. Swaggy P dropped a sollution. It’s rather a sympathetic solution to Paul George.

Featuring in the latest episode of Gils Arena, the crew debated over Paul George‘s bone bruise. Gilbert Arenas brought in the narrative asking if Paul George should also restrict himself from playing back-to-back like Embiid. Nick Young, who closely observed the debate, said, “I’m rolling with PG. d I would rather PG do the do that no back-to-back for sure. He don’t need to worry about accolades, he need a championship.” Now, let’s look at how this solution is related to Kawhi Leonard.

Kawhi Leonard’s load management affair that forced a new rule

It’s bitter but it’s the truth. Kawhi Leonard has become highly prone to injuries ever since he joined the Clippers fold. And, the team can’t let go off him, considering the skills the 2x NBA Champ brings to the fold. So, the Clippers had figured out a way to keep in healthy all throughout the season. The only way to achieve it is through managing his load. Between 2019-2023, Claw hasn’t played a single season with more than 57 games.

The team offered him rest in between back-to-back games and on various occasions to keep him healthy. However, it didn’t sit well with the NBA commisioner, Adam Silver. The Clippers’s method spread across various franchises and the league witnessed team benching their assets in the name of load management.

And, it forced Silver to bring in a new rule, ‘Player Participation Policy’. As per this rules, the team should provide valid reason before resting their star player and not more than one star player should be benched for the game. Above all, the player should atleast play 65 games to qualify for the MVP award contension. So with Joel Embiid and Paul George injured, the the Sixers side has to make a wise choice before resting either of them. What do you make of this rule? Let us know in the comments.