Every fall, Philadelphia 76ers fans ask the same question about Joel Embiid. Not whether he can dominate. The question is whether his body will hold up long enough to matter.
The 32-year-old center has played just 96 games over the last three seasons. He has never made it through a full playoff run healthy. So when Sixers media day rolled around this week, all eyes went straight to the big man.
One look was enough to get people talking. On ESPN's Hoop Collective media day reaction show, Tim MacMahon broke down how Embiid looked in person. "Joel Embiid looks pretty sleek… as sleek as he's been since very early in his career at least… his weight in reality is like he's dropped significant pounds," MacMahon said.
The signs were there all summer. Recent visuals of Embiid working out at their practice facility already tell he is lighter. He was listed at 7-foot and 280 pounds last season.
Less weight means less pounding on his knees and feet, the same spots that have kept him off the floor for years. It could also mean more minutes, better rim protection and fewer nights on the injury report. And this Sixers team needs him moving well.
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown have joined Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Maxey averaged 28.3 points last season, and Edgecombe started every game he played as a rookie. On paper, this starting-five looks scarier.
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