The Philadelphia 76ers are entering the upcoming season with championship aspirations, with all eyes on Joel Embiid to lead them to success.
Despite being a former MVP, Embiid has yet to advance past the Eastern Conference Semifinals in his career. However, with the addition of players like Paul George, Caleb Martin, and Jared McCain, the Sixers are now considered one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference alongside the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins believes that Embiid is under immense pressure to deliver.
“He’s under the most pressure. He’s under Jayson Tatum-type pressure,” Perkins stated on NBA Today. “There’s no other player in the league that’s under more pressure than Joel Embiid. When you look at the other big men in the league, like Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have all won championships, the expectations for Embiid are high.”
“There’s no other player in the league that’s under more pressure than Joel Embiid.” 😳 @KendrickPerkins says the Sixers have the pieces they need to win it all next season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rrkFM12Jmh
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 19, 2024
The trio of Embiid, George, and Maxey will need to overcome the challenge of staying healthy throughout the season. While Maxey has a good track record of avoiding injuries, both Embiid and George have struggled with maintaining their health. If the Sixers can keep their key players on the court during the postseason, they have a legitimate shot at winning the championship.