Sixers Coach Keeps Faith In DeAndre Jordan Amid Joel Embiid's Absence

KEY POINTS

Doc Rivers is left to rely on DeAndre Jordan to fill in for a sidelined Joel Embiid
Jordan is practically putting up similar numbers to his stint with the Lakers
Embiid is reportedly feeling better but remains questionable to return to NBA action

The Philadelphia 76ers will have to find a way to survive with All-Star center Joel Embiid still out with an orbital fracture.

His absence leaves a huge hole in the rotation, something that head coach Doc Rivers is trying to figure out.

One guy who finds himself in an unusual situation is DeAndre Jordan.

The 33-year-old was taken in by the Sixers to replace Andre Drummond as Embiid’s reliever.

Drummond went to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the James Harden for Ben Simmons swap.

The move made a bit of sense since the All-Star center would be reunited with Doc Rivers, the same coach whom he worked with when both were still with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Looking at his numbers this NBA season, there were minor improvements seen.

His 4.6 points and 5.8 rebounds average in 16 games hardly improved on what he had with the Los Angeles Lakers.

But with Embiid on the sidelines, Rivers is left with no choice but to go with the 6-foot-11 cager even if his performance leaves a lot to be desired.

Barely playing in the first round against the Toronto Raptors, Rivers gave Jordan a starting role in Game 1 against the Miami Heat.

Jordan hardly made a difference, a far cry from the yesteryears when he was a monster off the boards and someone who could guard the rim.

However, Rivers is keeping the faith in the veteran big man.

"We like DJ, we're going to keep starting him whether you like it or not," Rivers told reporters via The Insider. "That's what we're going to do because our guys believe in him."

The decision to go with Jordan has not sat well with fans and scribes. Some have criticized the move, while others even singled out his performances.

But the reality is that Rivers is left with little choice on who to fill in for an injured Embiid.

The Sixers dropped Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Heat, 106-92.

Although Embiid feels a whole lot better according to Rivers in a report from ESPN, returning to active duty remains unclear as of this writing.