If you’re going to be a great player in this league, a lot of responsibility
falls on your shoulders. For Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid,
fans don’t want to hear “Trust the Process.” That ship sailed five years
after stockpiling all those first round picks to build a competitive team
in the Eastern Conference. As Embiid is just a handful of players to win
MVP and not make a conference finals, pressure is being applied to win
now.
Philadelphia has seen its share of bad luck during the “process” era; a
Kawhi Leonard lucky bounce in the 2019 Eastern Conference Semi’s, the
strange disappearance of former Sixer Ben Simmons, a blown series
lead with a 3-2 lead over Boston in 2023. Philly’s bad luck is well known
and one key component to the misery: Embiid’s health during the
postseason.
Credit, the Sixers front office has used every resource to build a team
about their superstar; but health and mismatches can’t be overlooked.
If you’re the team’s best player and can’t be reliable, what more can
they do? It starts and ends with Embiid staying healthy without any
nagging injuries. He’s tried to play through it all but can’t combat the
smallest of mistakes in crucial situations.
Philadelphia’s window to win a championship is roughly two more
years if we’re talking beyond 2025. There’s more urgency than ever to
reach the Eastern Conference Finals. With the addition of free agent
Paul George; while retaining Tyrese Maxey plus role players in Caleb
Martin, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, it’s more of a burden to jump
over the Boston Celtics.
The Eastern Conference is slowly getting stronger with Boston running
it back with their current roster. New York can be in your rearview
mirror as they ran through a slew of injuries in the playoffs. Milwaukee
has a Doc Rivers problem nobody can heal, while the Indiana Pacers are
chomping at the bit. Miami, Orlando can vastly improve as well. Case in
point, it’s not going to be a cakewalk to finish atop the East.
There’s no more excuses for Embiid by any means. Whatever it takes to
reach your destination, be healthy when it matters. Philly’s front office
has exalted every ounce of equity to compete every year. Entering
season eleven and no conference finals appearance, great players in
their prime have a very, very short window to cash in. No more “trust
the process, time to apply pressure and win now.”
