It is the 2014 NBA Draft. The Philadelphia 76ers are in the early days of their dreadful Process years and this is a pivotal draft for their franchise as they are looking to draft a future superstar to get the team out of mediocrity. With the third pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Joel Embiid, a Center out of the University of Kansas.
Drafting Embiid came with a rough patch at first. He sat out for the first two years of his rookie contract due to a foot injury that he underwent surgery for on June 20, 2014. When the moment finally came when Embiid was healthy, it gave Sixers fans a sense of excitement that had not felt around one single player since Allen Iverson. It was almost a sense of wonder and a stronger sense of hope. Embiid's long-awaited debut season led to him showing a lot of promise. In 31 games, Embiid posted averages of 20.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, and a remarkable 2.5 blocks per game. He was named to the NBA's All-Rookie First Team.
It was the 2017-2018 season that Embiid's impact on the Sixers really began to show. His production began to increase. He averaged a stat line of 22.9/11/3.2. He became a double-double machine and lead the Sixers o their first NBA Playoffs since 2012. In the first round vs the Brooklyn Nets, the 76ers won 4 games to 1. However, they lost in the conference semifinals to the Boston Celtics 4 games to 1. Throughout the playoffs, Embiid averaged 21.4/12.6/3. Embiid's production in 2018-2019 increased again. He averaged 27.5/13.6/3.7. All of which were career highs for him. During this season, the Sixers seemed to be built for a championship, having added Jimmy Butler to their roster via trade. This season and the 2019-2020 season would also end in disappointing playoff series losses.
The 2020-2021 season was another step up for Joel Embiid and the 76ers. Embiid led the Sixers to a 49-23 record and the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. Embiid finished the season as an NBA MVP award finalist. However, much like the past four seasons, this one also ended in a second round exit.
Off the court, Embiid gives a lot back to the community. Just recently in March, he has donated his $100,000 All-Star Game winnings to combat homelessness in Philadelphia. This donation by Embiid helps provide meals, clothing, shelter, essential needs, and other helpful things for the homeless. Along with that, Joel Embiid donated $500,000 for COVID-19 relief and partnered with Sixers' managing parters, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, to make a $1.3 million donation to Penn Medicine of Critical Support of Health Care Workers on the frontlines fighting COVID-19. Embiid's contributions to the Philadelphia community are admirable and amazing.
Embiid's passion and drive is everything the Philly sports fans adore. He has said multiple times that he wishes to remain with the Sixers for his whole career. He has also remained determined to bring an NBA championship to the city of Philadelphia. Embiid is the first player since Allen Iverson to give the city of Philadelphia hope for a championship from the 76ers. Though he has yet to bring home a championship for the Sixers, the city of Philadelphia is more than confident that he will in the near future.
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