The Sixers next preseason game is slated to be their first chance to get a good look at Al Hoford as the starting center when Joel Embiid doesn't play.
Embiid—the franchise cornerstone, crown jewel and main essential piece that holds this puzzle together—wants to play more than 64 games this regular season. Sixty-four was what he played in 2018-19 when he missed several games after the All-Star break due to knee tendinitis. So, if he's going to surpass that number this season, there will need to be an effective plan that keeps him healthy the majority, if not the entire, way.
To be perfectly clear, so no one starts panicking, Embiid is healthy right now. He was limited a little bit at the start of Training Camp after rehabbing his knee over the summer, and he didn't play the second halves of the Blue-White Scrimmage or the game versus the Guanghzou Loong-Lions.
Again, load management.
The next part of the plan is to have Embiid miss his first full game Friday night in Winston Salem, North Carolina against the Charlotte Hornets. He's expected to play Sunday at the Orlando Magic.
But, Embiid's absence Friday means Horford will probably start at the "5," which is expected to be the case throughout the season and was a reason the Sixers acquired the veteran All-Star in free agency.
"I am (excited to give the team a chance when Al is the starting '5') because it's coming," Brown said. "To be able to take this opportunity, and knowing that it's coming where Joel will be out some games this year, I am."
The fact is, Horford gives the Sixers center depth that's never existed in the Embiid era.
"I mean, he's Al Hoford," Ben Simmons said was asked what Horford brings to the '5' spot. "A stretch guy who can shoot the ball, get to the rim, make plays, set good screens and defensively he's great on the defensive end.
"Every time I played against him, he gave us a tough time defensively. His IQ is at a high level. He's a leader."
Horford certainly give Simmons, Embiid and the Sixers fits when he was a Celtic. Having him put on 76ers blue not only helps out Embiid, but takes a valuable player away from Boston.
Win-win.
Mike Scott Bests Tobias Harris For Road Trip Per Diem
Mike Scott's press availabilities are becoming must watch content. His authenticity and honesty are not only refreshing, and entertaining, but quite frankly, informative.
Before Scott took any questions Thursday after practice, he brought up how he just beat Tobias Harris in a three-point shooting contest, with the prize being Harris' per diem for their upcoming pre-season road trip.
"I just bust Tobias (expletive) over there shooting," Scott said. "So, shoutout to Tobias Harris. He owes me his per diem for this trip. He's a great man.
"I didn't really kill him, but I won by one spot. He let me win, so now he has to hear it…I might get the rookies something from the mall."
Apparently these friendly contests typically happen before road trips.
Scott is a humble winner.
"It feels good to just beat such a great player, great shooter and he has to hear me talk (expletive) for a while, so it's great.
That wasn't the only fun part of Scott's media availability. He was asked how the "bench unit" was looking, and he mistook that for "Ben's shooting," so he started answering a question about Simmons jump shot, again.
"He's been here working on his shot. He's been here everyday. Every time I'm in here shooting, I look over, he's over there shooting on the court, so it's a process. Trust the process."
Spike Eskin would be proud of his latest Live Ricky guest.
