The road to get to this point of fans getting excited for pregame warmups has been a rough one. The Philadelphia 76ers picked Embiid with the third overall pick in 2014, and there were high hopes regarding his potential in the NBA. Right away, the Sixers knew he came with injury problems, but given that the projected top overall pick had fallen to three, it was tough to pass up.
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
Sam Hinkie did not pass up on Embiid, and it is still unknown if it has paid off or not.
The first season was one that was all recovery for Embiid since he had undergone reparative surgery on his left foot.
His recovery went for the whole season, and carried into the summer. But fans were thrown through a loop when it was announced that Embiid had gone through a setback that would require another surgery, as well as another year of sitting out from real games and another year of slow recovery.
So, fans again rested on watching Embiid play during pregame warmups.
He went from shooting in a boot, to shooting flat-footed, to just recently getting more physical and leaving his feet.
Embiid is not on track to be available for summer league, but he could be around for the preseason.
Next: Workout #1