Joel Embiid has an NBA Most Beneficial Participant award and 5 All-NBA choices to his identify. What he doesn’t have is a wholesome run within the playoffs this decade.
The Philadelphia 76ers is anticipating a leaner, meaner Embiid in 2024-25 after the middle stated at Monday’s preseason media day that he has dropped 25 to 30 kilos this offseason and isn’t happy but.
“This yr is all about, there’s no agenda, there’s no All-Star, there’s no All-NBA,” Embiid stated. “There’s none of that. There may be no matter it takes to be sure that I get to that time the place I’m able to go. As a result of mainly each single yr in my profession I’ve been damage within the playoffs. So I believe that’s the purpose. It’s all about doing no matter it takes to get there.”
Embiid, 30, performed in simply 39 video games within the 2023-24 common season after tearing the meniscus in his left knee. He was again in time for the playoffs however wasn’t 100 per cent because the 76ers dropped its first-round sequence towards the New York Knicks.
He had an LCL sprain in 2023, a facial fracture and damaged thumb in 2022 and a meniscus tear in his proper knee in 2021.
Embiid, who was listed at 280 kilos on the finish of final season, sees a slimmer construct as a path to raised luck along with his well being.
“I’ve nonetheless received a methods to go,” Embiid stated. “Nonetheless wish to lose extra, nevertheless it’s a course of. (President of basketball operations Daryl Morey) would let you know this: As quickly as we misplaced final yr, I texted him and I used to be like, ‘We’ve received to do no matter it takes to be sure that, within the postseason, I’m wholesome.’”
Morey, for his half, coordinated the Sixers’ signing of star free agent ahead Paul George to affix Embiid and Tyrese Maxey within the franchise’s push towards a title. Philadelphia hasn’t gotten previous the second spherical of the Japanese Convention playoffs since 2001.
“We’re going to be actually good about this,” Morey stated of managing Embiid’s well being. “We’re centered on April, Might, June. It doesn’t imply that the staff proper now isn’t essential as properly, however we’re going to be very good about how we handle him by means of the season. There’s going to be loads of info as we study how every part’s working with your complete roster.
“However with Joel particularly … we even have fairly a number of guys who we predict we have to (be) good about how we handle them by means of the season whereas nonetheless sustaining a excessive stage of play, and maintain the attention on the prize as we do this.”
Embiid averaged profession highs of 34.7 factors and 5.6 assists plus 11.0 rebounds per sport in restricted motion final yr. He’s lower than two years faraway from successful MVP honours after he put up 33.1 factors, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 blocks per sport in 2022-23.
Embiid has averaged 27.9 factors, 11.2 rebounds and three.6 assists in 433 video games (all begins) since Philadelphia drafted him third general in 2014.