Fresh off a shiny new extension, 76ers star Joel Embiid took to Instagram to make his latest public statement. In the caption beside a photo of him signing the deal, Embiid spoke directly to the fans and the city that he’s called home for the past eight years.
“Philadelphia is home. I want to be here for the rest of my career,” wrote Embiid. “I love this community and everything you’ve given me and my family. There is a lot more work to do. You guys deserve a championship and I think we’re just getting started.”
It’s been a busy summer for the All-NBA big man. After a short-lived playoff run, Embiid moved to Paris to help Team USA compete for the Olympic gold medal. While his participation came with some controversy, he brought home the ultimate prize this summer and topped it off with a lucrative three-year, $193 million extension.
There have been rumblings about Embiid’s loyalties following the departure of Ben Simmons and then James Harden last year. As a 7x All-Star and 1x MVP, Joel would have been a top trade target had things come to blows with the 76ers. But now that he’s locked in for the next five years, there is no reason to doubt his future with the franchise.
The center from Cameroon was initially drafted by the Sixers in 2014 with the 3rd overall pick. He missed his first two seasons before eventually making his debut and developing into one of the best players in the NBA. Last season, despite injury troubles, he averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. He was the MVP frontrunner before his campaign was cut short and was forced to miss the rest of the regular season.
Now, at 30, Embiid will have to try once again to take his team over the top — and while he’s yet to reach the Conference Finals, there is hope that the upcoming season can break the cycle of failure. Besides a completely focused superstar, the 76ers will also have Paul George to add much-needed shooting and defensive versatility on the wing. After a major breakout season, Tyrese Maxey is on pace to take another leap as a true NBA superstar.
Of course, everything for the 76ers hinges on the health of Embiid. If he can just have one complete season, it might just be enough to make a deep playoff run and bring home the NBA championship for the first time since 1983. But if not, Joel can expect some serious blowback.
With all the accolades one could imagine and a rotating cast of co-stars, one would have thought it would be enough for Embiid to make a respectable playoff run. So far, however, it’s been nothing but disappointment for the 76ers and the pressure is mounting.
If Embiid wants to live up to his new contract and make good on his promise to the fans, then he needs to deliver when it counts the most and prove to the city that he has what it takes to take them all the way. For now, the 76ers still believe that Joel can get them there but the title window will not stay open forever.
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