The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid makes NBA fun again

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up prior to the preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Wells Fargo Center on October 4, 2017 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 (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up prior to the preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Wells Fargo Center on October 4, 2017 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 (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Joel Embiid just signed a five-year $148 million extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. Why is it a good deal? He makes the entire NBA fun again.

The Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid debuted for on the road to visit the Brooklyn Nets. Before the game, the Philadelphia 76ers were 0-3. Conversely, the Brooklyn Nets were a perfect 3-0.

My how things change. So, what was the one difference? Joel Embiid.

I won’t tout his offense, nor his defense. I won’t even point out that the Brooklyn Nets had no answer for him, not even as they hacked at him to send him to the foul line 18 times. But I will point out the fact that the 0-3 Philadelphia 76ers suddenly sprang to life as a team, and downed the 3-0 Brooklyn Nets by the tidy score of 133-114.

Keep in mind, the Philadelphia 76ers had the game well in hand in the third quarter. Head coach Brett Brown simply sat his starters and first bench wave, and played the remaining players through the fourth quarter.

Significant impact

What type of impact did Joel Embiid have in this game.  Significant.

The Philadelphia 76ers started out slow. Just under the seven minute mark, they were behind by 10 points. Meanwhile, the Nets looked to cruise to an easy victory. But that didn’t happen. Dario Saric entered the game. T.J. McConnell entered the game. The Philadelphia 76ers climbed back into it.  But the true momentum changer in my mind happened at the 2:30 mark in the first quarter, when Embiid blocked Alan Crabbe’s 6-foot jumper.

From that point on, the Nets fouled Embiid constantly. And the rest of the Philadelphia 76ers, knowing so much defensive attention turned to Embiid, began to score… and score… and score some more.

Joel Embiid MVP?

An MVP is not simply a player who performs well individually, but a player who elevates the play of the players around him. In this game, everyone came to play. This was a showcase by the Philadelphia 76ers of their new player of the future.  They turned Embiid loose on three-point shots

And they turned him loose on defense

In the end, fans were entertained in a way that seldom happens in an NBA game.

The NBA needs a healthy Joel Embiid

The modern NBA is still a business of entertaining sports fans.  Yes, LeBron James and Stephen Curry and others are incredibly talented at what they do. But with a player like Joel Embiid, half of the fun is witnessing something unexpected.

This young man, when healthy, excites the fans in the stands like never before. How do you categorize the player who blocks, steals, assists, shoots near the basket, mid-range, and from the perimeter? Versatile? Stretch-five?

After an off-season of business over substance, the NBA risks losing a connectivity to their fans. Boston Celtics leader Isaiah Thomas now plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving now play for the Celtics. D’Angelo Russell now plays for the Brooklyn Nets, while the Houston Rockets traded for Paul George.

Ignore NBA revolving doors for a moment

As the fans of the entire NBA wrestle with the “who’s on first?” reality, Joel Embiid places everyone gently back into their living room sofas and shows them why basketball is the most exciting sport on the planet.

Joel Embiid may not have the pedigree of LeBron James nor James Hardy just yet. But don’t try to use that as a reason to tamper enthusiasm of the cheering fans.  So many of you have forgotten the most basic premise of sports: to entertain.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers take Ben Simmons for test drive in preseason

Joel Embiid does that probably as well if not better than anyone right now. So relax and enjoy the show. And while you’re up, pop us another bowl of popcorn. I don’t want to miss anything.