As LeBron James approaches his 40th birthday, his performance on the court has started to show signs of decline. While still a highly skilled player, he no longer ranks among the NBA’s elite. Within the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis has become the more pivotal player, signaling a natural transition as age begins to impact LeBron’s dominance.
However, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas believes there is another player whose physical condition has deteriorated even more than LeBron’s—Joel Embiid. The Philadelphia 76ers’ star has faced ongoing fitness issues this season, managing to play in just five games so far. While Embiid remains one of the best in the league when healthy, his availability has become a persistent concern.
Speaking on Gil’s Arena, Arenas shared his candid opinion about Embiid’s condition, stating, “His knee is done. This is it. This is that athlete who most likely, the cartilage is gone from his knee and he’s out there with no brake pad.” He added, “Embiid’s body is older than LeBron’s by probably a decade. You can see it.”
Embiid’s knee problems appear to be a long-term issue, with swelling occurring earlier this season despite no recent injury. This has raised questions about the Sixers’ decision to extend his contract. While the team seems committed to managing his workload through strategies like load management, doubts remain about his ability to maintain consistent fitness.
Until Embiid demonstrates sustained health and availability, concerns about his durability will likely persist among fans and analysts alike.
