Philadelphia 76ers: 3 players with the most to prove as NBA returns
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is a multiple-time All-Star and one of the better defensive players in the NBA. He’s arguably top-10 player and definitely a top-15 player in this league, yet he still has something to prove. He has to prove he can be healthy and he’s close to being in basketball shape when training camp begins.
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Embiid has struggled with injuries and his general physical condition for most of his career. Which makes the fact that he’s a top-15 or arguably top-10 talent in the NBA even more impressive. Yet, injuries and being in out of shape for the postseason has been a struggle of his. With the months he’s had off thanks to the coronavirus, he should be as healthy as he has been entering the final eight games of the regular season and playoffs.
The problem is with the long layoff, there is also a strong chance he will be out of shape. Now does that mean he will be over 300lbs and have a belly? No, being there’s a difference of being in shape and being in basketball shape. Now obviously probably no one will be in perfect basketball shape, but if he is close once training camp begins, that will be a positive for the Sixers.
As of now he’s saying that he’s been working hard to stay in shape, but he needs to show it once play returns. If Embiid is in pretty good health and condition once play resume, it makes the 76ers a legit threat to make a deep playoff run.
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These three players not only need to prove these things for themselves, but the Philadelphia 76ers need them too as well if they want a shot at winning an NBA title.