Joel Embiid Is Heading For Beast Mode

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Jan 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid dribbles two balls during pre game warm ups before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

He skyrocketed at the NBA draft, despite injury

There was talk heading into the NBA draft. Despite questions of a stress fracture in his back. Despite questions of a fractured foot on a big man in basketball. Despite questions of just one year of NCAA organized basketball. Despite questions about the maturity of a young man just 19 years of age, international player who found himself a home in the US through the help of his friend and mentor, Luc Mbah A Moute. Despite all these factors, there was talk about Joel Embiid being selected number one.

Two teams had the chance to select the potential franchise center, and passed him by. So many teams had focused entirely on Andrew Wiggins. In Philadelphia, that translated into the campaign “Winless For Wiggins”, the player many had hoped we might draft in the 2014 NBA draft. Andrew Wiggins went first to the Cleveland Cavaliers – their third first pick in four consecutive NBA drafts. Jabari Parker went second to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

At three, the Philadelphia 76ers chose Joel Embiid. Sam Hinkie was more than just a general manager driven by numbers and shot charts. What he saw in the form of Joel Embiid on that draft board was the potential franchise player he coveted. But to get there, he would need to place his own career at risk.

He did so willingly.

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Knowing no Embiid for one year, and then two years, was worth it to the president and general manager who was likely the only NBA executive capable of delivering the true potential of Joel Embiid to the NBA.

Two years of rehab, international medical breakthroughs and expertise, mentoring from other NBA players who had gone through it, dedicated one on one attention from one of the founders of sports medicine Dr. David T. Martin, and repeated trips to Aspetar Sports Clinic to confirm progress and segue to the next level of training.

Hinkie gave Joel Embiid all he could, perhaps even his own career as an NBA executive. Why?

Because he believes that Joel Embiid is THAT good.

Next: Matured and Coached