Joel Embiid is the Philadelphia 76ers, and vice-versa.
The franchise is currently standing in what appears to be a "cushioned" state of flux. While they are in now way facing an existential crisis as a collective, no one is probably content with the way things have gone for them, especially in recent years. But from this season, if there is one silver lining they can take away, it is the fact that Embiid remains an elite talent who can bring them to the promised land.
Embiid remains the face of the 76ers, and in doing so, he just achieved a rare feat that somehow sets the 76ers apart. As ESPN pointed out recently, only five of the 100 top-five picks from 2000 to 2019 are still with the team that drafted them in the first place, and as you might have guessed already, Embiid is a part of that very short list.
The 76ers have been with Embiid for 10 years now, and that partnership has evolved into something that has defined a franchise, a bond that has matriculated into the city of Philadelphia. Through the ups and downs, he has been the lone staple, and not even the numerous turmoils that have befallen the team have been able to put a governor on that strong nexus.
Joel Embiid achieves rare feat with the 76ers only very few players have accomplished
In this era of player movement, loyalty has become so hard to come by. That should be plenty enough of a reason for people to appreciate Embiid's body of work as a Sixer. Despite missing his first two years in the league due to injury, the one-time league MVP has been the main reason why the 76ers have been competitive year after year.
His biggest naysayers will always interject on the fact that he has not even sniffed a Conference Finals appearance in his 76ers stint, but this franchise does not even come close to being a perennial force without him leading the group. Even in his declined state, he has proven that he is a bona fide ceiling-raiser. Without him, this franchise is going nowhere.
Admittedly, the 76ers' championship window is rapidly closing. Joel Embiid is not getting any younger, either, and his extensive track record of injuries is something not to be taken lightly. Be that as it may, that does not constitute a sound reason for people to disregard what he has done for the franchise, something very few have achieved and will accomplish given the contemporary trends in the NBA.
Add us as a preferred source on Google