Enlightened Despot
But even more importantly, he speaks up for his teammates. He tells the world that a 10 win team yet to hit a winning streak is playoff capable. Then, the team delivers a January 2017 to back him up.
Daily Knicks
But the moment which crystallized Joel Embiid’s significance to team executives, coaching staff, and teammates was the way he inserted himself during the controversy over Nerlens Noel and the team. Others tried. Elton Brand tried to play peace maker. He failed.
As you recall, Nerlens Noel was quite frustrated with the time allocations at center, and allowed that frustration to become public. He removed himself from the rotation and opted to elective surgery, placing a huge burden on the coaching staff, already constrained by limited playing time for two other centers. The situation was slowly eroding on both sides until Joel Embiid intervened.
Joel stands up for Noel
Or rather, Joel endorsed Noel. In a loud, eloquently stated, way:
The endorsement stood in the midst of emotions and frustrations. As an outsider looking in, I was astonished that a young man in his rookie season could express the sage wisdom of a seasoned veteran.
Astonished yet. But more. The Philadelphia 76ers needed a true leader. In that singular, undeniable moment, Joel Embiid became that person.