Basket-ball of Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Source: nbcsports

Joel Embiid denies he weighs 300 pounds

How much does 76ers center Joel Embiid weigh?

One report, citing an anonymous source, said Embiid – whom Kansas listed at 250 pounds last season – was up to 300 pounds.

Embiid, via Dei Lynam of CSN Philly:

“I don’t weigh that,” Embiid said.

A team source backed him up, stating that 275 pounds has been the maximum weight for the 7-footer whom the Sixers selected with the third overall pick in last year’s draft.

As Embiid – the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft – sits out the season with a foot injury, it should be expected he puts on weight. He just can’t condition like he’s accustomed to doing.

Obviously, the more weight he adds, the more troubling. Not only would that put him further from getting into game shape, it could signal an issue with his work ethic.

But, from the outside, it’s impossible to pick sides in this squabble. Without getting Embiid on a scale, we have no idea how much he weighs. It’s nearly as difficult to judge the the motivations of these anonymous sources.

Whatever Embiid weighs now, it matters much more what he weighs when training camp opens next fall. If his weight is or has been a problem in Philadelphia, he has a lot of time to correct it and put this issue behind him.