76ers fans buzzing as shocking transformation hints at massive year on horizon

Philadelphia 76ers fans were stuck wondering about the availability of Joel Embiid for the upcoming season. After all, coming off a campaign where he could only muster 19 outings for the squad, things were starting to look grim — irreversibly grim — as to whether the former Most Valuable Player could still be a viable centerpiece for the franchise.

Well, those worries have been put to rest, at least for now. Hyperbolic assumptions aside, the 76ers star has been the subject of excitement among the fanbase in recent days all thanks to the team’s recently released clips and images of Embiid being an active participant in practice.

All of those seem to signify that things were actually getting better behind the scenes. Fans were frustrated about the front office’s utter silence and glib updates about Embiid, which left them expecting little about his playing status to begin the season.

But aside from these soft launches about the All-Star center’s increasingly likely appearance right off the bat for Philly next season, there is another part to this saga that should make fans hopeful for what the upcoming season could bring.

Joel Embiid seemingly slimming down is a great sign for the 76ers

In those stills, Embiid not only looked to be ready to ball out in the hardwood, but he looks like he has slimmed down by a lot. See it for yourselves and be the judge.

Embiid is listed at 7’0” and 280 pounds, but he definitely does not look the part of the latter in these photos. And out of all declines, that is one downgrade the 76ers will surely accept wholeheartedly.

Part and parcel of what makes Embiid such an injury-prone star is the fact that he is putting so much weight on his lower extremities, which were already injured early in his career. Hence, him shedding a lot of weight, as can be gleaned from above, will help him immensely to stay on the court for longer durations without as many attendant risks.

There are a slew of precedence indicating that losing weight as players age bodes well for their longevity. Look at TIm Duncan, who started to lose weight in the early 2010s to abate an apparent decline in the late 2000s. Now that is something Embiid can follow moving forward.

Also, slimming down will give Embiid and the 76ers more options on how to utilize him and adjust the team’s pace of play.

Hopefully, this is the first step toward Joel Embiid turning in a monstrous year and the Philadelphia 76ers exceeding everyone’s expectations.