The Philadelphia 76ers took a big step this past spring when they advanced to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. While they were ultimately swept by the New York Knicks, that series sowed the seeds for their follow-up transformation.
Now, in the aftermath of key additions like LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Anfernee Simons, the 76ers are poised to be among the most competitive teams in the East next season. A big factor in their success, of course, will be Joel Embiid, their star center with a somewhat shady history. According to head coach Nick Nurse, Embiid is in optimal shape right now and feels fully healthy as training camp approaches.
“Joel is still unbelievably talented,” said Nurse on the ‘Take Off’ show. “He looks fantastic, by the way. He’s having a great summer, probably the first time in a couple of summers. He’s in shape, he’s active, and he’s feeling much better to get out on the floor and to get in the weight room.”
Embiid looks to be in great shape 👀
(via @JClarkNBCS, h/t @Fullcourtpass) pic.twitter.com/RaB9WTZoZj
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 6, 2026
The 76ers haven’t won a title since 1983, but expectations couldn’t be higher after their recent acquisitions. Between Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, V.J. Edgecombe, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia has one of the best starting fives in basketball and a well-rounded team capable of competing against the NBA elites. As always, however, health will be an important factor in deciding how this ends, and Embiid’s track record is particularly impressive, to say the least. That’s why it’s imperative that his health and conditioning are monitored closely, to maximize the chances of a healthy season.
Ultimately, while all know the 76ers are Maxey’s team, and LeBron’s presence will be huge, Joel Embiid is the x-factor that will make or break their championship pursuit. As a former MVP, seven-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, and five-time All-NBA player, he’s got an illustrious resume that proves what he can do at his best. Last season alone, he averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game on 48.9% shooting from the field.
At 7’0″ and 280 pounds, Embiid brings size to any frontcourt, and he’s got the physical advantage in almost every matchup. Plus, with teammates like LeBron and Brown, he’ll be able to thrive off open looks and a spread offense. The only problem is that Embiid has rarely been healthy over the years. In fact, over the past three seasons combined, he’s missed 96 out of 246 games, often leaving the 76ers without their star center. At 32, there were doubts that he would ever get the injuries under control, but Nick Nurse’s testimony suggests that things may be finally looking up.
But after a healthy postseason still ended in disaster for Joel and the Sixers, they know that just staying healthy is the first step to success. Between now and the start of training camp, look for Philly to take advantage of Embiid’s durability and get a head start on developing team chemistry. With so many adjustments to make, the hard work has only just begun, and Joel is giving everything he has to ensure that his team does not fall short of their title aspirations.
