Joel Embiid Genius Declaration Philadelphia 76ers Replace Cavs

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Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as fans chant his name after a score against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Not Grandstand, Grand Move

This was no grandstanding move on Joel Embiid’s part. Rather it was the selfless move of a player willing to become the lightning rod for his teammates. Much like the success of his January 2017 statement, the timing of this claim is more than “optimal headlining impact”.

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On one hand, this team is raw metal. On the other hand, Embiid’s declarations merely forge, temper, and sharpen the metal for the task at hand.

By all accounts, talent alone is not going to get a team past the Cleveland Cavaliers. That team is built to compliment the skills of one another. Defend the paint. Move the ball. Push defenders towards the hoop and then open up the three-shot artillery.

Well Played Joel, Well Played

The Philadelphia 76ers can never hope to win a championship until each player shares one goal, one dream, one vision.
And so, in that one bold blow-off-that-31-game-rookie-wild-claim-to-fame declaration, he has embedded that common thought into everyone associated with the Philadelphia 76ers organization. In summary, Genius. As a matter of fact, pure, out-of-the-blue genius.

Joel Embiid played 31 games for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016-2017 NBA season. But his two greatest plays may not be one that occurred on the court. His willingness to tout the future of this team to an audience of disbelievers has done something few expected.

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After all, he’s converting those disbelievers into believers. The Embiid is coming, NBA. And he’s not alone. He’s lining up the entire city of Philadelphia behind him. Caveat NBA.