![Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) celebrates with guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and guard Vj Edgecombe (77)] following their win over the Boston Celtics in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_78,w_3774,h_2122/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/98/01kxtrdv9zy87y0dv7rt.jpg "Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) celebrates with guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and guard Vj Edgecombe (77)] following their win over the Boston Celtics in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.")
Even without the idea of adding LeBron James to the starting five, the NBA legend Tracy McGrady likes the Philadelphia 76ers' chances of coming out of the Eastern Conference and competing in the 2027 NBA Finals.
Of course, there's a big "if" with his prediction. It's been said thousands of times throughout the years. The Sixers can potentially win it all if the star center, Joel Embiid, can stay healthy.
"We know when he's healthy, he is one of the best," McGrady said on the Cousins podcast. "I mean, that's not a question, but can he be healthy is the biggest question. It all comes down to Joel."
The Sixers will face this question for the rest of the Embiid era
Or, until they finally win it all. Since Embiid was drafted to the 76ers, questions about his health have always dominated the narrative surrounding the team.
A decade later, the Sixers' center is still dominant and has the ability to play at a high level even when he's playing through a setback.
In 38 games during the 2025-2026 NBA season, Embiid averaged 26.9 points per game, along with 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks.
In the playoffs, he appeared in seven games. Embiid posted averages of 24.0 points, 5.4 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. He was a game-changer in round one against the Boston Celtics, helping the Sixers complete a 1-3 comeback to advance to the second round.
Unfortunately, setbacks and fatigue against the eventual champions affected Embiid to the point where his presence didn't make much of a difference. The 76ers were swept, handed another second-round exit during the Embiid era.
The trend is alarming, for sure, but not everybody looks at the past and automatically scratches the Sixers' name off the list of true contenders in the Eastern Conference. McGrady is still confident that there is a strong threat in Philly entering the 2026-2027 campaign.
"VJ [Edgecombe]'s going to do his thing. [Tyrese] Maxey's going to do his thing, and [Jaylen Brown], you got three guys that offensively they're elite," McGrady finished.
"Defensively, they could be elite together, and it's just how we roll it out with the big fella. If he's healthy, I look at them being in the finals. I don't care what nobody says. If Joel Embiid is healthy. Put it on the board. Philadelphia in the finals for me."
Time will tell if the seven-time All-Star is right.
Add us as a preferred source on Google