Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was so phenomenal in his 31 appearances last season that it changed the whole perception from being a bust to being a potential superstar.
And yet the situation remains largely the same for Embiid, who continued to battle health concerns even after sitting out the first two years of his career. Embiid has played just 786 career minutes entering his fourth season and therefore the focus remains where it's always been: on his health.
"I think it has nothing to do really with his game. It’s not his jump hook. It’s not his defense. It’s his health," Sixers coach Brett Brown said of Embiid's next step, according to CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato.
"Helping him better understand how to consistently play NBA basketball is most on my mind."
Philadelphia played it as safe as possible with Embiid last season by limiting him to 24 minutes per game and holding him out on back-to-backs. That didn't sit well with Embiid, who wanted more time.
It's understandable that Embiid felt anxious to play. The Sixers actually approached respectability with him on the court, then reverted to being disastrously bad when he sat. Embiid also spent two years watching from the sideline, so he was naturally antsy.
Managing the balance between competitive drive and physical preparation is ultimately what Brown wants to help Embiid learn.
"The competitive side that Joel possesses is not to be denied," Brown said. "Helping him really prepare his body, helping him be able to play NBA basketball in multiple games and back-to-backs, all those types of things, that’s a health thing, that’s a discipline thing.
"The preparation to go play a game, the pre-hab stuff, the discipline of getting yourself ready is always an evolution for any player," Brown said. "Joel’s no different."
