Embiid recalls 'burner accounts' saga, Hinkie's ouster in journey to MVP win
Joel Embiid couldn't help but reference some of the most turbulent moments in the Philadelphia 76ers' recent history as he expressed gratitude for his first NBA MVP award.
"We went through a lot," Embiid said during a press conference Wednesday, courtesy of CBS Sports. "Whether it's the burner accounts, my guy Sam Hinkie getting kicked out, there's a lot that has happened that we had to go through."
The burner accounts referenced by Embiid are an infamous relic from the tenure of former 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo, who oversaw the franchise's basketball operations from 2016-18. Colangelo shockingly resigned from his post in June 2018 shortly after The Ringer published an investigation alleging that he was responsible for several anonymous Twitter accounts posting criticisms of 76ers players - including Embiid - and private medical information.
An investigation launched by the franchise in response to the report revealed Colangelo's wife was behind the accounts. He denied he was the source of her information despite his resignation.
Hinkie, whom Colangelo replaced, was the mastermind behind Philadelphia's "trust the process" era, which Embiid also referenced Wednesday.
Hinkie was responsible for drafting the Cameroonian star third overall in 2014 following a 19-win campaign in 2013-14. Embiid subsequently missed two full NBA seasons, during which Philadelphia remained near the bottom of the league standings and accrued several high draft picks. That period allowed the 76ers to select Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz first overall in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Hinkie stepped down in April 2016 - before the club drafted Simmons - following widespread criticism over Philadelphia's prolonged rebuild.
Embiid credited the 76ers' fan base for supporting him and the team despite the rocky start to his NBA tenure.
"I think the fans are a big part of it, always being supportive," he said. "Like I said yesterday, it's not just for me. My teammates, the whole organization, the fans: Everybody played a big part (in) it."