Joel: unchained.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

The thing with Embiid is he has overcome each and every challenge thrown his way. Keep in mind people were referring to him as Greg Oden 2.0 for the first couple years he was in the league. He's maturing and as a man...a person, that takes time. Obviously the emo "poor me" stuff needs to stop. The flopping needs to stop too. He's a notorious flopper and he's still in this phase where he's always calling for fouls. The mental hurdles such as Nic Claxton or playing against Ben Simmons or going against Rudy Gobert. He just needs to play basketball and have fun doing it. Fun in fact...Should be the operative word for the 23-24 season. Lets get back to having fun.

Yeah we're getting Westbrook then, confirmed.

Ok?

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

The thing with Embiid is he has overcome each and every challenge thrown his way. Keep in mind people were referring to him as Greg Oden 2.0 for the first couple years he was in the league. He's maturing and as a man...a person, that takes time. Obviously the emo "poor me" stuff needs to stop. The flopping needs to stop too. He's a notorious flopper and he's still in this phase where he's always calling for fouls. The mental hurdles such as Nic Claxton or playing against Ben Simmons or going against Rudy Gobert. He just needs to play basketball and have fun doing it. Fun in fact...Should be the operative word for the 23-24 season. Lets get back to having fun.

No disrespect but, aside from just sitting out 2 years with financial and opportunity security for this hurdle, what else?

He may not be Greg Oden 2.0. But he’s quite injury prone and his endurance is poor. He sat out his first 2 seasons. Played 65 games on average from 3rd year to now. Has some type of injury where he can’t play 100% in all of his playoff seasons except in 2020 when he has to play 4 games.

Even Yao Ming had a couple of 80+ game seasons and this guy does not rest in the offseason for he has to play every year for his national team.

For what its worth, I think there was no need for him to make past 2nd round more than next season. Because i find him to have failed everyone who campaigned for his MVP this season.

If the 2021-2022 was “almost MVP” and 2022-2023 was “finally the MVP”

I hope 2022-2023 is “almost made it past 2nd round” and 2023-2024 will be “finally made it to the second round”. And alot of that depends on how healthy he’ll be.

You're right. It absolutely depends on his health. The only year that he was healthy was the bubble and that was because the league had a ton of time off. We got swept by Boston. I definitely feel like the clock is ticking for not only him, but for us as well with this situation. He seems like a resilient person when he puts his mind to it, and I'm willing to give it one more season to see if we can do it.
The issue this time will be that he'll have to do it without the supporting cast that he's had the luxury of having. I think Harden walks. If that's the case, then maybe we step back and lighten the pressure and expectations. Who knows? Maybe he rediscovers himself and starts to have fun again. In the end, nobody survives this city.
That game six loss to Boston not only deflated our season, but it may have ended Embiids career here. That game/this year was our best shot we were ever going to have in my opinion. It's a shame we choked it away.

[76ciology]

Spoiler:

To me it's about a hell of a lot more than simply "making it to the ECF" as if taking one more step is the end all, and putting enough band aids on every off season to plug holes without really building something that might last.

Look at the Nuggets - all they talked about was 'team' and winning more than one title. They have built something special there, and it's all about consistency and patience. The Heat as well - a solid culture, consistent leadership, and building a program where players want to play and are willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.

Maybe it can't be done in a place with as impatient and cynical a fan base like this, but if The Process proved one thing it's that Philly fans are willing to wait if the plan is a good one and is communicated properly. We've got a golden opportunity for a fresh start, take a step back and build something the right way. That said, I'd be shocked if it's the path that is taken.

What was our MO (mission order) when we started building this team from scratch?

I think we gave too much time and emphasis on that, that we forget the other things.

[Mik317]

Two of the injuries were from getting hit in the face...can't exactly predict that lol. Another was the flu. One was getting his hand stuck in a jersey. The remaining were from him attempting to clean up messes and contesting stupidly hard on layups.

[76ciology]

The thing with Embiid is he has overcome each and every challenge thrown his way. Keep in mind people were referring to him as Greg Oden 2.0 for the first couple years he was in the league. He's maturing and as a man...a person, that takes time. Obviously the emo "poor me" stuff needs to stop. The flopping needs to stop too. He's a notorious flopper and he's still in this phase where he's always calling for fouls. The mental hurdles such as Nic Claxton or playing against Ben Simmons or going against Rudy Gobert. He just needs to play basketball and have fun doing it. Fun in fact...Should be the operative word for the 23-24 season. Lets get back to having fun.

No disrespect but, aside from just sitting out 2 years with financial and opportunity security for this hurdle, what else?

He may not be Greg Oden 2.0. But he’s quite injury prone and his endurance is poor. He sat out his first 2 seasons. Played 65 games on average from 3rd year to now. Has some type of injury where he can’t play 100% in all of his playoff seasons except in 2020 when he has to play 4 games.

Even Yao Ming had a couple of 80+ game seasons and this guy does not rest in the offseason for he has to play every year for his national team.

For what its worth, I think there was no need for him to make past 2nd round more than next season. Because i find him to have failed everyone who campaigned for his MVP this season.

If the 2021-2022 was “almost MVP” and 2022-2023 was “finally the MVP”

I hope 2022-2023 is “almost made it past 2nd round” and 2023-2024 will be “finally made it to the second round”. And alot of that depends on how healthy he’ll be.

You're right. It absolutely depends on his health. The only year that he was healthy was the bubble and that was because the league had a ton of time off. We got swept by Boston. I definitely feel like the clock is ticking for not only him, but for us as well with this situation. He seems like a resilient person when he puts his mind to it, and I'm willing to give it one more season to see if we can do it.
The issue this time will be that he'll have to do it without the supporting cast that he's had the luxury of having. I think Harden walks. If that's the case, then maybe we step back and lighten the pressure and expectations. Who knows? Maybe he rediscovers himself and starts to have fun again. In the end, nobody survives this city.
That game six loss to Boston not only deflated our season, but it may have ended Embiids career here. That game/this year was our best shot we were ever going to have in my opinion. It's a shame we choked it away.

Read on Twitter

“If you want to be successful, you need to be bad, then you need to be good. Then when you're good, you need to fail. Then when you fail, you're going to figure it out... There is no shortcuts. It's a journey.” - Jokic

[Negrodamus]

Somewhat off topic, but remember how hard people were clowning Giannis for saying essentially the same thing as Jokic?

Read on Twitter

For the record, I agree with both of them, but it just goes to show how NBA fans are largely trolls and ****.

[mjkvol]

The thing with Embiid is he has overcome each and every challenge thrown his way. Keep in mind people were referring to him as Greg Oden 2.0 for the first couple years he was in the league. He's maturing and as a man...a person, that takes time. Obviously the emo "poor me" stuff needs to stop. The flopping needs to stop too. He's a notorious flopper and he's still in this phase where he's always calling for fouls. The mental hurdles such as Nic Claxton or playing against Ben Simmons or going against Rudy Gobert. He just needs to play basketball and have fun doing it. Fun in fact...Should be the operative word for the 23-24 season. Lets get back to having fun.

No disrespect but, aside from just sitting out 2 years with financial and opportunity security for this hurdle, what else?

He may not be Greg Oden 2.0. But he’s quite injury prone and his endurance is poor. He sat out his first 2 seasons. Played 65 games on average from 3rd year to now. Has some type of injury where he can’t play 100% in all of his playoff seasons except in 2020 when he has to play 4 games.

Even Yao Ming had a couple of 80+ game seasons and this guy does not rest in the offseason for he has to play every year for his national team.

For what its worth, I think there was no need for him to make past 2nd round more than next season. Because i find him to have failed everyone who campaigned for his MVP this season.

If the 2021-2022 was “almost MVP” and 2022-2023 was “finally the MVP”

I hope 2022-2023 is “almost made it past 2nd round” and 2023-2024 will be “finally made it to the second round”. And alot of that depends on how healthy he’ll be.

You're right. It absolutely depends on his health. The only year that he was healthy was the bubble and that was because the league had a ton of time off. We got swept by Boston. I definitely feel like the clock is ticking for not only him, but for us as well with this situation. He seems like a resilient person when he puts his mind to it, and I'm willing to give it one more season to see if we can do it.
The issue this time will be that he'll have to do it without the supporting cast that he's had the luxury of having. I think Harden walks. If that's the case, then maybe we step back and lighten the pressure and expectations. Who knows? Maybe he rediscovers himself and starts to have fun again. In the end, nobody survives this city.
That game six loss to Boston not only deflated our season, but it may have ended Embiids career here. That game/this year was our best shot we were ever going to have in my opinion. It's a shame we choked it away.

If Embiid is a quitter and a loser, that will certainly be the case, thus fulfilling what so many trolls here and elsewhere have believed all along. I guess we're going to find out what he is made of mentally, especially with a real coach here for the first time in his career.

Your comment is understandable, but is a result of the mindset this city has had since The Process, that every season is 'chip or bust', and falling short of that is complete failure. The organization added to this mindset with one desperation move after another, chasing some imaginary "window", and hiring who they somehow thought was a "win now" coach, a guy who had won nothing in a decade and a half.

If it works out that there won't be any big trade or FA signing this summer, and Embiid asks out, I will join the chorus proclaiming him a fake and a loser. Until then, I'll maintain hope that with sane leadership here finally the franchise can take a breath and use 2023 as a step back year, which at this point might be the best possible thing, as I don't see a contender here in 2023 regardless.

[mjkvol]

No disrespect but, aside from just sitting out 2 years with financial and opportunity security for this hurdle, what else?

He may not be Greg Oden 2.0. But he’s quite injury prone and his endurance is poor. He sat out his first 2 seasons. Played 65 games on average from 3rd year to now. Has some type of injury where he can’t play 100% in all of his playoff seasons except in 2020 when he has to play 4 games.

Even Yao Ming had a couple of 80+ game seasons and this guy does not rest in the offseason for he has to play every year for his national team.

For what its worth, I think there was no need for him to make past 2nd round more than next season. Because i find him to have failed everyone who campaigned for his MVP this season.

If the 2021-2022 was “almost MVP” and 2022-2023 was “finally the MVP”

I hope 2022-2023 is “almost made it past 2nd round” and 2023-2024 will be “finally made it to the second round”. And alot of that depends on how healthy he’ll be.

You're right. It absolutely depends on his health. The only year that he was healthy was the bubble and that was because the league had a ton of time off. We got swept by Boston. I definitely feel like the clock is ticking for not only him, but for us as well with this situation. He seems like a resilient person when he puts his mind to it, and I'm willing to give it one more season to see if we can do it.
The issue this time will be that he'll have to do it without the supporting cast that he's had the luxury of having. I think Harden walks. If that's the case, then maybe we step back and lighten the pressure and expectations. Who knows? Maybe he rediscovers himself and starts to have fun again. In the end, nobody survives this city.
That game six loss to Boston not only deflated our season, but it may have ended Embiids career here. That game/this year was our best shot we were ever going to have in my opinion. It's a shame we choked it away.

Read on Twitter

“If you want to be successful, you need to be bad, then you need to be good. Then when you're good, you need to fail. Then when you fail, you're going to figure it out... There is no shortcuts. It's a journey.” - Jokic

Funny how two foreign stars, probably the two best players in the game, completely get it. So much to learn watching guys like this, their mindsets, work ethic, and the way they handle defeat and victory.

[Stanford]

Giannis didn't fail. He said so himself. There is no failure in sports. He directed a tantrum at a reporter that suggested otherwise. Jokic would have responded in the affirmative.

And it's great that Jokic was able to pull himself up by the bootstraps, but he's not saying anything that hasn't been said a million times before. Every self-help guru and entrepreneur plays this exact tune every day. Other than rise and grind, it's the go-to.

[Eyeamok]

We've gone from "If Ben can develop a jumpshot" to "if Joel can get past the second round".

Think about that, like now Jokic got robbed because Jo decided to win a damn award.

Jokic has had one coach throughout his career.

I don't know if you watched the finals. But it was mentioned several times that Malone came from a coaching family, it's what he has known all of his adult life. His wealth of coaching knowledge probably far surpasses any of the coaches the 76ers have had since Embiid has been a player here. Secondly there were rumors that Malone was on the hot seat prior, to this season, because Denver had under performed in the playoffs.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

If Embiid is a quitter and a loser, that will certainly be the case, thus fulfilling what so many trolls here and elsewhere have believed all along. I guess we're going to find out what he is made of mentally, especially with a real coach here for the first time in his career.

Your comment is understandable, but is a result of the mindset this city has had since The Process, that every season is 'chip or bust', and falling short of that is complete failure. The organization added to this mindset with one desperation move after another, chasing some imaginary "window", and hiring who they somehow thought was a "win now" coach, a guy who had won nothing in a decade and a half.

If it works out that there won't be any big trade or FA signing this summer, and Embiid asks out, I will join the chorus proclaiming him a fake and a loser. Until then, I'll maintain hope that with sane leadership here finally the franchise can take a breath and use 2023 as a step back year, which at this point might be the best possible thing, as I don't see a contender here in 2023 regardless.

I definitely think Embiid wants to be here no matter what. He's not given any kind of indication that he wants to leave. With that said I think his road towards the Finals is going to have to be put on hold for at least a season (until we are free from Tobias Harris). I think you and I are at least in agreement on that. We also agree that another desperation move (Bradley Beal) would be far more detrimental as opposed to just standing pat for a season and evaluating things. I agree that this city and it's fanbase aren't exactly known for their patience. We overreact, we get angry, we get mean, we get spiteful. Hell, I remember even during the process years people suggesting that we hurry things up by signing mediocre free agents that are at this point no longer in the league.

Lets assume that we don't retain Harden. I mean, at this point as much as I'd hate to see him go, it's probably for the best long term. The guy is expiring faster than an over the counter Avocado. So...No Harden means we're taking a step back. It's important that this fanbase understands that (good luck with that idea). You're still going to get the idiotic, beer guzzling mozzarella cheesestick eating blowhards that troll just because they can. I do my best to ignore them (it's hard at times).

My comment about game 6 being the beginning of the end of Embiid's time here is hopefully an overreaction on my part. I badly want it to be. I look at Nowitzki in Dallas and it wasn't until he was like 12-13 years into the league until he finally got the Mavs over the hump. I highly doubt the Dallas fanbase was just silent and patient and steadfastly supportive of him through all the previous seasons where they came up short. Do you remember the 07 playoffs when they were beaten by the 8th seed Warriors after they had won 67 games in the regular season. I bet that fanbase was ready run him right out of town. The point being that this is a rollercoaster ride, but I think Embiid is talented enough to hitch a ride with despite all the let downs.

We have made some terrible roster moves in terms of surrounding Embiid (as did Dallas for many years with Dirk). I've tried to take that into consideration as well. I think as far as this offseason goes, the best roster move we can make will be letting Harden walk, and NOT making a desperation trade for an overrated chucker just because we feel we have to.

[Mik317]

Jo put up with the team being built around Ben for most of his career and I think he likes the fun of being a giant point guard that has to do it all for better or mostly worse...I think the worry of him asking out is overblown until the team stops winning in the regular season.

This is all based off of nothing but I don't see Jo as the type to complain and ask out. If anything its more concerning that he might just be okay with the current set up of second round losses lol. He didn't ask out when his GM not so openly hated him, didn't ask out after the next Gm let his friend go for a guy who plays the same position, did ask out when Brett got fired, didn't ask out when Ben was holding out...I don't think he asks out now. I think he thinks that as long as he is on the floor the team is a contender...and regardless of if thats true or not..I don't think he asks out.

These arbitrary deadlines are what kill franchises because they panic and make rash moves to win now at all costs and it never works out. Worrying about some made up window, primes, or upcoming trade requests is silly IMO. The Window can open at any moment with some luck (see the Warriors last chip for example). Biid the super scorer may be coming to an end but thats not the end of the world either thanks to the other things he does well. And if he asks for a trade then he was never going to be that guy so why damage your future to appease him? Keep saying it but ever since Hinkie left the franchise has done the ALL IN ALL THE TIME approach and it has not worked out. Just like the hoping for the mediocre Iggy years would if we just kept trucking. The only even if fleeting "success" this franchise has experienced has been from the moves that didn't require immediate results..the last two remaining "bright" spots are Embiid (a guy who took two years to even play) and Maxey (a guy who basically was more or less free money). We need more of that. The Nuggets stuck with their core and a never wavered by trading Murray or MPJ due to their injury concerns. The Warriors never made a splashy win now move when Klay was out..they traded for Dlo and then pivoted to Wiggins; neither of which were seen as guys who would push them over the top right away.

I am tired of this franchise constantly chasing a quick fix in the name of some made up dead line. Have a plan for once beyond "just trade for a star; have no bench and hope your 2-3 guys never have off nights". It has not worked. Stop trying that lol

[agiaco]

Giannis didn't fail. He said so himself. There is no failure in sports. He directed a tantrum at a reporter that suggested otherwise. Jokic would have responded in the affirmative.

And it's great that Jokic was able to pull himself up by the bootstraps, but he's not saying anything that hasn't been said a million times before. Every self-help guru and entrepreneur plays this exact tune every day. Other than rise and grind, it's the go-to.

A tantrum? What an overreaction. What Giannis said was such a refreshing thing to hear in a normally very predictable situation.

[Jailblazers7]

The response to Jokic’s comments vs Giannis is the eternal lesson of pro sports. If you win, you can say whatever you want but if you lose you’re better off not saying anything at all.

Of course our superstar handle it the worst by trying to make a joke & then fumbling through an explanation that made it sound like he was blaming his teammates.

[Stanford]

A tantrum? What an overreaction. What Giannis said was such a refreshing thing to hear in a normally very predictable situation.

There was no reason at all for Giannis to get indignant and show up a reporter asking a perfectly normal question. In fact, the reporter was just setting up Giannis to give the exact answer that Jokic did, which is: "yes, I consider it a failure, but sometimes you have to fail before you can success. It's all part of the process, we'll learn from it and come back better next season." Instead, he gives what is effectively the same answer, but adds the clearly nonsense caveat, there is no failure in sports, to make the reporter look foolish. It wasn't refreshing, it was childish.

The response to Jokic’s comments vs Giannis is the eternal lesson of pro sports. If you win, you can say whatever you want but if you lose you’re better off not saying anything at all.

If Giannis gave an identical comment to Jokic, no one would have a negative thing to say about it. Most of the reaction to Giannis's comment was already positive. I'm fairly certain I was the only one on this board who didn't think it was a mature and profound takedown of a weaselly American journalist. The general board largely praised it and you can't get them to agree on anything unless it's about Joel Embiid.

[FireMorey]

I want to see how Embiid performs in round 2 series at 100% just once. He deserves that opportunity. If he doesn't perform well in that scenario then everyone can trash him then, but I would like to see him get that chance.

Dude has the worst luck in the world.

[76Love]

You!

Well say it with your chest next time

I barely post on here so I have no reason to troll on a message board but since you think I was trolling, what made you feel as though I am trolling when similar statements were made throughout this thread?

Calling Embiid a fake MVP. Not realizing his stamina is **** when he is injured and he's been injured every playoffs. If you actually follow him you'll know his stamina has significantly improved during the regular season. The bigger issue is the small injuries during the playoffs.

You're the one that's trolling now

Please don't act like Embiid's stamina was A1 even when he wasn't injured. If you watched him, he's always the last player up the floor. He wasn't even getting double digit rebounds early in the season. Embiid could/should have averaged at least 12-13 rebounds

[76Love]

You!

Well say it with your chest next time

I barely post on here so I have no reason to troll on a message board but since you think I was trolling, what made you feel as though I am trolling when similar statements were made throughout this thread?

Calling Embiid a fake MVP. Not realizing his stamina is **** when he is injured and he's been injured every playoffs. If you actually follow him you'll know his stamina has significantly improved during the regular season. The bigger issue is the small injuries during the playoffs.

You're the one that's trolling now.

Even though thegeneralboard is ****, you should be worried about the posters calling you out over there for the nonsense you spew instead of going back and forth with a Sixers fan

He quit in game 7 then gave a bs excuses post game as if he didn't want to offend Harden by saying we need more help. That's a slap in the face to Maxey and the other players who played hard in game 7. A lot of people in the city of Philadelphia felt Embiid quit along with Harden

Please don't act like Embiid's stamina was A1 even when he wasn't injured. If you watched him, he's always the last player up the floor on offense and consistently lingering on the 3 point line when he's tired. He wasn't even getting double digit rebounds early in the season. Embiid could/should have averaged at least 12-13 rebounds if his stamina was on point. There are times where he is too tired to jump in the regular season and playoffs. Embiid's stamina has always been an issue Stop it

There's always going to be "something" with Embiid injury wise unless he loses weight and changes his game so he won't put much weight on his lower extremities being as though he has foot and knee issues in the past

[mjkvol]

If Giannis gave an identical comment to Jokic, no one would have a negative thing to say about it. Most of the reaction to Giannis's comment was already positive. I'm fairly certain I was the only one on this board who didn't think it was a mature and profound takedown of a weaselly American journalist. The general board largely praised it and you can't get them to agree on anything unless it's about Joel Embiid.

I had no problem with Giannis' comment, but to a large degree it was exactly because I have such contempt for the media, American or otherwise. But your point is a good one - the idea of "failure can lead to success if you learn from it" is a message that I can't imagine anyone taking issue with.

[agiaco]

A tantrum? What an overreaction. What Giannis said was such a refreshing thing to hear in a normally very predictable situation.

There was no reason at all for Giannis to get indignant and show up a reporter asking a perfectly normal question. In fact, the reporter was just setting up Giannis to give the exact answer that Jokic did, which is: "yes, I consider it a failure, but sometimes you have to fail before you can success. It's all part of the process, we'll learn from it and come back better next season." Instead, he gives what is effectively the same answer, but adds the clearly nonsense caveat, there is no failure in sports, to make the reporter look foolish. It wasn't refreshing, it was childish.

The response to Jokic’s comments vs Giannis is the eternal lesson of pro sports. If you win, you can say whatever you want but if you lose you’re better off not saying anything at all.

If Giannis gave an identical comment to Jokic, no one would have a negative thing to say about it. Most of the reaction to Giannis's comment was already positive. I'm fairly certain I was the only one on this board who didn't think it was a mature and profound takedown of a weaselly American journalist. The general board largely praised it and you can't get them to agree on anything unless it's about Joel Embiid.

The underlying issue here is the prevailing assumption that has become too commonplace in sports. If a team fails to win the championship, everything leading up to it is automatically deemed a failure. Does finishing 4th in the Olympics equate to failure? Is coming in 5th place in the Tour de France a failure? Giannis's response served as a valuable reminder that, while winning may be the ultimate goal, it isn't the only measure of success. The vast majority of the general board appreciated this perspective for good reason.

The way the Bucks went out (moments before that interview) was the main reason why he was more tense than usual. Giannis still offered an apology to the reporter following their interaction. It's easy to enjoy and accept what the Finals MVP says immediately after victory. Jokic's comment wasn't any less cliché than the journalist asking Giannis a redundant question.