The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Five menu items from Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs before the game against the Miami Heat on February 11, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs before the game against the Miami Heat on February 11, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has served up a 31 game appetizer to starving fans. The 2017-2018 season will be the main course. Actually five main courses

The Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid delivered just 31 NBA games in three of his four year NBA rookie contract.  As such, there are plenty of skeptics over the significance of his play, his durability, and his long-term career in the NBA.

For those who enjoy keeping score, the injuries break out this way.  On one hand, you have two seasons with foot surgery.  On the other hand, you have  51 games from a minor meniscus tear. While neither is related, it matters not to the NBA community at large.   And there is enough cause to be skeptical.

Conservation of resources

But the Philadelphia 76ers have done things the right way so far. Impatience is not in their vocabulary where Joel Embiid is concerned.  He is the keystone.  Other teams have great standouts in their backcourts. Other NBA teams have phenomenal talents at the wings.  But the Philadelphia 76ers believe that no other championship caliber team has a center to match up with Embiid.

And they are correct.

Some teams have manned the position with a rim protector.  Others have turned to the role as an offensive engine. But no team has found success in post season with a center who can do both at the level of Joel Embiid.  And so, the 2016-2017 season became a simple decision of saving the best talent for the best opportunity. That opportunity is this season.

Now, for the rest of the story.