Joel Embiid succeed as one of the top players in the NBA. Earning the title of 2023 MVP, he had an impressive season with averages of 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. In 39 games, he made 52.9% of his shots from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc. Even though he played exceptionally well, the 76ers were defeated by the New York Knicks in the initial round of the NBA playoffs.
New Addition: Paul George
Monday morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced that the 76ers plan to add nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George to their roster. During the previous season, George scored an average of 22.6 points, grabbed 5.2 rebounds, dished out 3.5 assists, and stole the ball 1.5 times per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 41.3% from beyond the arc for the Los Angeles Clippers. Having George on board with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey enhances the 76ers’ roster, making it one of the most talented in the NBA.
The Weight of Expectations
NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins talked about the expectations placed on Embiid (via ESPN). Perkins mentioned that this season, Joel Embiid is the player experiencing the highest level of pressure compared to others. He’s the one who faces the most pressure when dealing with top athletes. I’m not suggesting that he must win a championship, but at the very least, he needs to make it to the conference finals.
Consistent but Falling Short
Embiid has participated in the NBA for eight seasons, all of them with the 76ers. Even though the team has always done well, they have not made it to the Eastern Conference finals under his leadership. The 76ers finished the 2023-24 regular season in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, posting a 47-35 record.
Looking Ahead
With the new season drawing near, the excitement grows with the arrival of Paul George. There is a lot of pressure on Joel Embiid to succeed his team past their previous successes and finally reach the conference finals. The 76ers’ supporters are eagerly anticipating to see if this newly constructed team can achieve the success they have been desiring for a while.
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