When healthy, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is arguably the most dominant big man in the NBA today. With a multi-tooled skill set that allows him to excel on both ends of the floor, Embiid has been a force to be reckoned with since he played in his first NBA game in 2016.
However, despite his immense talent and potential, one major obstacle has prevented Embiid from reaching his full potential: injuries. In fact, Embiid has yet to play 70 games in a single season. Last season, the 7-footer was in the midst of having another MVP-caliber campaign when his knee issues forced him to miss significant time, limiting him to only 39 regular-season games.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith recently weighed in on Embiid's injury struggles, stating that the big man's mindset may be what's keeping him from truly realizing his full potential.
Worries too much about injuries
Despite being hampered by his knee injury, the former Kansas Jayhawks star bravely suited up in the postseason to aid the Sixers in their battle against the New York Knicks. Even though the 2023 MVP's mobility was visibly affected by his injury, Embiid persevered through the pain and averaged 33.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
As remarkable as Joel's performance was, Stephen A. pointed out that he has yet to reach his prime due to his injuries and the fear of potential setbacks. While it's understandable for Embiid to be cautious, especially given his injury history, it's crucial for him to trust in his body and fully commit to reaching his potential on the court.
"I think Embiid worries so much about injury that his priority is to get to the playoffs healthy enough to play because he's scared he won't be available," the loquacious ESPN commentator stressed.
"I don't know this for sure; I've never talked to him about it. I'll ask him the next time I see him. But as a player and a talent, I love Jokic, but there is no big man in the world that I want more than Embiid," Smith emphasized.
Related: "Young fella, you alright. Go sit back down. You good" - Jayson Tatum shares what Michael Jordan told him after a wine accident
Needs to get out of his comfort zone
As for Miami Heat icon Udonis Haslem , he says the next step "The Process" needs to take is to learn how to push his body to the hilt rather than play cautiously all the time. UD, who played 20 seasons for the Heat before transitioning into a career in media, stressed that Embiid needs to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable throughout the course of the regular season. This way, when the stakes are highest in the postseason, he will be ready to take his game to another level.
"Embiid is so great that he hasn't even gotten out of his comfort zone yet," UD said. "He needs to understand how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. You can't create these habits in the playoffs; you have to build them over the six or seven months of the season. So when the playoffs come, there is no situation you are not prepared for. There is no game, even if it goes seven quarters, that you are not in shape to finish."
There's no denying that Embiid is one of the most talented players the league has ever seen. It's a daunting thought for opponents to consider that as great as he is now, he still has room to improve and grow as a player. Joel possesses the size, strength, and skill set of a dominant big man, along with the agility of a guard. However, as physically gifted as he is, JoJo must recognize that mental preparation is just as crucial in reaching his full potential.
Related: Embiid talks about PG's fit with the Sixers: "You need to have willing shooters and guys that are not afraid to pull the trigger"
Most Popular
Comments / 0