As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, narratives around potential contenders are beginning to take shape, and for the Philadelphia 76ers , the story being pushed most aggressively is their championship hopes tied to the health of Joel Embiid . Many within the organization and the fanbase are convinced that if the 2023 MVP can return at full strength, the team can, almost instantly, contend for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, not everyone shares the same perception. In fact, Gilbert Arenas has grown so frustrated with this air of optimism that he recently made it clear how more and more NBA teams are fully aware of the fragile state of Embiid and are almost certain that he cannot thrive with such a delicate knee in the long run.
While Embiid's injury woes have been well-documented over the years, from his back issues to his ankle problems, it was after last season, when his appearances were limited to just 19 games, that fans truly understood the severity of his knee issues.
Moreover, after Joel went through an arthroscopic surgery in April, there has been no specific timeline provided for his return. Even then, there is a strong belief within Philly's camp that after such a long rest, when Joel returns, he could carry the franchise's championship aspirations on his shoulders.
However, Gil unapologetically dismissed this narrative as misplaced confidence and urged the team to stop overhyping their possibilities around a player who could never play at high intensity. More notably, according to Arenas, the rest of the East dynamic has shifted so dramatically that it has diminished the entire fear factor that once surrounded Embiid.
Gilbert pointed out how the depth and physicality of teams like the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers make them unafraid to face even the healthiest version of Embiid. Thus, the 76ers should stop fantasizing about the ceiling they might never realistically reach with their big man.
"I don't know why people or why Philly tries to convince us that his knee is good. We don't care. At the end of the day, the Knicks don't give two s—ts, they're not scared of him. Bucks not scared of him, Cavs not scared of him. Nobody is scared if Embiid's coming back because we know: every day grind on a knee like that will never last," Arens said on his stream. "It's already damaged to the point where it's eating itself, so you're not gonna be able to do anything about it."
There is no denying Joel's individual brilliance. At his best, the seven-time All-Star is capable of recording effortless 30-point double-doubles, punishing defenders with his strength, versatility and unmatched footwork in the post. Some would even reckon that Embiid's offensive skill set remains one of the most unguardable in the league. However, the perception surrounding the towering seven-foot center has undergone a complete transformation.
Instead of being viewed as a force who can assert dominance across an entire campaign and impact winning in the same way as a franchise cornerstone like Nikola Jokic , Embiid is increasingly seen as a superstar whose physical limitations prevent him from consistently carrying his team through the most grueling stretches of the season. That may be why Arenas wants to set realistic goals and aspirations involving Joel and the 76ers.
Related: Joel Embiid gets disrespected in ESPN's Top 100 rankings: "If he is back and healthy..."
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
