Embiid's Rehab "Ahead of Schedule"

In some encouraging news from the Sixers' camp, organization CEO Scott O'Neil has stated that Joel Embiid is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a foot surgery. O'Neil told CSN Philly, "Our doctors are saying it’s going ahead of schedule, but at the end of the day we know we have to show you and not just tell you. I will tell you that he is an elite talent, and I think he will be an elite player in this league."

O'Neil went to bat for Embiid and the organization in the interview, pretending not to have heard of the Brian Geltzeiler opprobrium that came out earlier this month and even standing up for Embiid's love of Shirley Temples: "He does love Shirley Temples, as do I, as do my children. If you were dining with me and my kids are there, I will definitely be drinking one...And quite frankly, I'd rather him be drinking Shirley Temples than some other drinks he could be having."

Embiid underwent his second foot surgery in 15 months on August 18, when he was treated for a fractured navicular bone in his foot. After sitting out the entirety of last season and making progress towards a return to the court, the Sixers discovered in the spring that he had inadvertently reinjured the bone.

After the surgery in August, Embiid was ruled out for 5-8 months, which means it was probably closer to 8-10 months given how the Sixers have treated injuries since Sam Hinkie took over. While it's great news that his recovery is going well and that he is ahead of schedule, I wouldn't get my hopes up to see him on the court in 2015-16.

However, this news is the first step in the right direction. If Embiid and the Sixers can build from here, we might still see him in a Sixers uniform in real game action. That would be no small solace.