Philadelphia 76ers win one for Joel Embiid’s Mom

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 29: A fan takes a video of Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 29: A fan takes a video of Joel Embiid
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 27: Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 27: Joel Embiid

Look Ma, no hands!

It was a moment of pride and excitement for both. Joel Embiid proved to the world that he was right. He deserved a place in the NBA and he flourished there. Now he had the chance to hold himself and all of his accomplishments to a mother who ached, endured, and supported him the entire way.  Each young man wants to display his best to his mother. Why should Joel Embiid, a rapidly rising star in the NBA be any different?

He does something on this planet few can do. And for one evening, he had an opportunity to show off for his mother. Good for him!

A son showing off for his mother

For a moment in time, this was not about an elite-to-be NBA player. It was not about the business of professional basketball. Nor was it even about the pursuit of an NBA championship, and the jewelry, prestige, and place in history that comes with the feat. For this rare and exciting moment in time, it was simply about a son showing off for his mother, Christine Embiid.

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It was a game, a fun and happy distraction from the world and the burden of living day to day. For the rarest and brightest of moments, it was the celebrated joy of witnessing a mother witnessing her son do what he loves most, and doing it so well that a city thousands of miles from the home he was raised stood up and cheered with her over and over again. Languages may differ. Culture may differ. But the universal language of love and joy crystallized in that moment.  And in that moment, I recalled why I love the sport of basketball and the Philadelphia 76ers.  It is more than salary cap, rebounds, rings and things.  It’s a sport filled with stories of how young men are fulfilling a lifelong dream, and their loved ones have an opportunity to cheer them on as they do so. In that moment, I felt something very special inside.