Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid sheds 30 pounds for optimal playoff performance
Joel Embiid possesses an NBA Most Valuable Player accolade and five All-NBA selections under his belt. However, what he lacks is a healthy postseason run in recent years.
The Philadelphia 76ers are anticipating a slimmer and more determined Embiid in the 2024-25 season, as the center revealed at Monday's preseason media day that he has shed 25 to 30 pounds during the offseason and is still striving for more.
"This year is solely focused on doing whatever it takes to ensure that I am in top form," Embiid stated. "There is no agenda, no All-Star, no All-NBA. The ultimate goal is to be fully prepared for the playoffs because I have been injured during that crucial time in my career every single year."
In the 2023-24 regular season, the 30-year-old only played in 39 games due to a meniscus tear in his left knee. Although he returned for the playoffs, he was not at 100% and the 76ers were eliminated in the first round by the New York Knicks.
In 2023, Embiid suffered an LCL sprain, followed by a facial fracture and broken thumb in 2022, and a meniscus tear in his right knee in 2021.
Embiid, who was listed at 280 pounds at the end of last season, believes that a leaner physique will lead to better luck with his health.
"I still have a ways to go," Embiid admitted. "I want to lose more weight, but it's a process. As soon as we were eliminated last year, I texted (President of basketball operations Daryl Morey) and said, 'We need to do whatever it takes to ensure that I am healthy for the playoffs.'"
Morey, on the other hand, orchestrated the Sixers' signing of star free agent forward Paul George to join forces with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in their pursuit of a championship. Philadelphia has not advanced past the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs since 2001.
"We will be very cautious with this," Morey assured regarding managing Embiid's health. "Our focus is on April, May, and June. That does not mean that the current team is not important, but we will be smart in how we handle him throughout the season. We will gather a lot of information as we monitor the entire roster."
"However, with Joel specifically...we have several players who we need to manage carefully throughout the season while maintaining a high level of play and keeping our eyes on the ultimate goal," he added.
In limited action last year, Embiid averaged career highs of 34.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 11.0 rebounds per game. He was named MVP in 2022-23 after averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game.
Since being drafted third overall by Philadelphia in 2014, Embiid has averaged 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 433 games (all starts).
