Frankly speaking, league-wide expectations around the Philadelphia 76ers have become so dilapidated that it would aptly pass as sheer success if the team manages to get into the Conference Semifinals. At this juncture, it’s not a seminal thought.
Nevertheless, Joel Embiid has continued his herculean streak of carrying the entire franchise into the playoffs, where the 76ers currently find themselves trailing 2-1 against the Knicks. And as everyone starts to rrun out of superlatives with the reigning MVP, the front office should instead read the between the lines.
Joel Embiid’s brilliant play is a silent yet scary warning to the 76ers
Embiid has been nothing short of fantastic this season, but that’s a cursory statement at this point. It’s a routine. But outside of Tyrese Maxey, who has cemented himself as a cornerstone for Philadelphia, the roster around around him has been as shaky as it could be, which is pretty evident in their recent outings.
As the 76ers approach the offseason, the front office has to be resolute and convincing moving forward. This upcoming summer will see them have as much ammo as they need to create a potential opowerhouse with good staying power — an imperative in light of the uncertainty around how much longer Embiid can play at this level.
Currently dealing with a knee injury and Bell’s palsy, the superstar center is not the sturdies of bodies (to no fault of his). It would make little sense for the franchise not to go all-in this offseason and milk the hell out of Embiid as long as they can.
“As long as they can”, however, pertains to the potential frustration that could brew and culminate into a worrysome ending should Philadelphia fail to get over the hump. While Embiid has shown patience so far, he also hasn’t been shy about the prospect of finding success elsewhere. And the 76ers don’t have the most sterling of records so far stability-wise. That must change.
Another failed star acquisition or a front office blunder could ultimately force the gavel to drop. Hopefully, the 76ers brass push the right buttons moving forward, starting this offseason.
After all, they cannot waste a generational talent still at the peak of his powers.