The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: 5 Areas Where Joel Embiid Has Improved

By Josh Wilson

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) share a laugh during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) share a laugh during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Relationships

It can be kind of tough coming into the NBA and making friendships and relationships when you aren’t even on the floor. A lot of players are friends off the floor and during the offseason. These relationships are ones that — with the help of cell phones and social media — occur across team lines.

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These relationships start after games when players are shaking hands and exchanging jerseys, and are capitalized on often during the All-Star weekend. Other things like Team USA basketball and trades help new relationships form or grow stronger.

During the All-Star weekend, players have a chance to take some time off from basketball and just hang out and have fun, often making long-lasting friendships. Since Embiid hasn’t been an active player yet, he’s been at a bit of a disadvantage.

Still, he’s made solid relationships, and capitalized on wanting to make more.

Last summer, TMZ spotted Joel having dinner with Washington Wizards guard John Wall. Embiid told TMZ then that he was “playing a lot of video games” as part of his injury recovery, but that’s beside the point. He was out to dinner with another player, from another team as well.

Embiid has also made plenty of relationships within the Sixers organization, especially with Nerlens Noel, and he seems to only be becoming stronger friends with everyone on the team.

Additionally, Embiid knows that relationships are what drives free agency at times, and has made it a point on Twitter to show that he wants big-name free agents to join the Sixers.

"Time to RECRUIT KD to the Sixers"

For a player that hasn’t played a single game in the NBA, Embiid has excelled in making connections with other players.

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