Sixers General Manager Elton Brand spoke with the media this past weekend before the team’s annual Blue X White scrimmage.

He touched on a variety of topics, most notably Joel Embiid’s health and load management plan. Here’s are some of the more relevant quotes from the 11 minute availability:

On discussions with Embiid, the coaches, and medical staff regarding load management and a 2019 health plan

We’ll be thoughtful and strategic and aligned with Joel. It’s a partnership. We talked to him and we talk to each player daily to make sure we’re on the same page. He knows that we’re a championship caliber team, and for us to reach that goal it has to start with him in the postseason and being the best Joel possible. He’s aligned. He’s working through it. We’re on the same page there.

Embiid, of course, said that he’d like to play more games this year than he did last year, a personal goal that would be made possible with proper management of his minutes and his health.

Brand was asked about that comment from his star center:

It’s possible. It’s possible that he gets out there (that much). It’s going to be a daily strategic and thoughtful representation of where Joel is. If he feels good, we’re not gonna hold him back. But he knows what our goals are and he’s aligned. It’s a partnership.

The GM was asked about back to backs and did not rule out Embiid playing on consecutive nights, which I personally think is a mistake. I’d sit him down for the second night of every B2B. (Of course, Brand wouldn’t show his hand on that topic now or at any point in the season)

A couple more quotes:

Regarding Ben’s jump shot

He’s worked hard at it, and we support Ben. I believe in Ben. We want him to shoot, he’s going to shoot. He’s going to shoot the right shots, that’s what’s important to me. Just developing is a team effort so if he’s open for a corner three, I expect him to let it fly and from what I’ve seen, I expect it to go in. I don’t want to put pressure on him, but he’s worked and he’s built for that. He’s worked his butt off all summer long.

The new coach’s challenge rule

So that was a G League rule, and I was in the G League and saw how effective it could have been or how non-effective it was at times if you didn’t use it right. We added Joseph Blair (as an assistant coach) and he won the G League last year for the Houston team, so we have some insight on how to use it. We’re gonna use it properly. I think we’ll be on the forefront of that because of our G League ties. But I like it.

(Brand also went on to say that he didn’t think the new free throw rules being experimented upon in the G League this year would make it to the NBA).

On changes to the medical department

Split it up, medical and performance. I felt like Lorena Torres with the Spurs, she had a great run there, with the data science, her base and her background. Scott Epsley has been in the organization for four years. His ability to step up and relate to the players in concert with our consultants and our doctors and me. I’ll admit that I’ll be more a part of it. We’ll be aligned with the player in a partnership for their care. I felt for their care that the changes needed to be made but I’m confident in the changes we have made.

The Sixers will practice today, then open the preseason at home tomorrow against China’s Guangzhou Loong Lions. Daryl Morey will not be attending.

Full video of Brand, courtesy of The Painted Lines: