Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is one of the most talented players in the NBA, but health issues have prevented him from reaching the next milestone.
Entering the conversation about the greatest player of all time.
Injuries have dogged Embiid since he entered the NBA in 2014, as he sat out the first two years of his career. The 30-year-old has yet to appear in more than 70 games in a season, but there’s no denying his ability when he’s on the court. The Sixers star is confident that avoiding injuries would have put his name in the conversation about the greatest of all time.
“I think so, I think I have that talent,” Embiid told the New York Times. “If you think about it, the thing that’s held me back all these years has been freak injuries. Every playoff, every regular season, people have fallen on my knee or broken my face, twice. It’s always freak injuries at the wrong time.”
Fans immediately pointed to the lack of postseason success as a flaw in the commentary. The 76ers have not made it to the Eastern Conference finals even once during Embiid’s tenure. Many see next season as his chance to even the score with the league’s other great players, such as Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Embiid appeared in just 39 games last season, averaging 34.7 points, 11 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 52.9 percent shooting. Those stats may have diminished with more appearances, but the near consensus view is that Embiid would have earned his second MVP award had he met the games played requirement.
At 30 years old, this is Embiid’s best chance to prove he’s a winner, as he arguably has the most well-constructed roster of his career.
