Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid and The Process to Greatness: A retrospective on his 76ers origin

Joel Embiid is here to stay in Philly. Over the Summer, the 76ers superstar just signed a three-year max extension with a player option for the 2028-29 season, making it clear he plans to finish his career in the City of Brotherly Love.

At 30 years old and entering his ninth NBA season, this deal speaks volumes about the journey he’s had with the team and honestly, it’s wild to think about how we got here.

I started following the NBA back in 2014-15 when I was just nine, and like many kids, I was all about Steph Curry and the Warriors. But my heart was always with the 76ers, even when they were losing. My dad always mentioned this “Joel Embiid” guy, and while I didn’t get the hype initially, I quickly realized his potential when he finally hit the court.

As I’ve grown and understood the league better, Embiid’s story feels personal. He’s not just the 2023 MVP to me; he represents an era of 76ers basketball that I’ve watched, doubted, believed in, and grown with. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane.

Joel Embiid’s haunting injuries (2014-2016)

When the Sixers grabbed Embiid with the third pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, it felt like a turning point… or at least it was supposed to. But then came the stress fracture in his foot that sidelined him for two full seasons.

During that time, the Sixers stumbled to a 10-72 record in 2015-16, their lowest point ever in “The Process.” Adding to the chaos, the front office drafted Jahlil Okafor in 2015, leaving them with a logjam of young centers, that already included Embiid and Nerlens Noel.

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Embiid’s official debut against the Thunder on October 26, 2016, was electric. He dropped 20 points and made it clear: he was here to make a difference. Unfortunately, Ben Simmons, the Sixers’ 2016 first overall pick, broke his foot in preseason, delaying their on-court partnership.

Joel Embiid dominates in rookie season (2016-2017)

October 26th, 2016; Joel Embiid makes his NBA debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder debut after being sidelined for two consecutive seasons and with a 20-point performance, established a new chapter of 76ers history:

“I’m not sure I expected he’d be the face of the 76ers in years to come following that night, but I did know during those two years before his debut that he’d potentially be something special”, Zumoff shared.

Despite Simmons’ absence, Embiid shined, averaging 20.2 points and 2.5 blocks in 31 games before a torn meniscus cut his season short.

“As [Embiid] filled out, found health, and learned the game, he would start to crush it.  No one could guard him in one-on-one workouts leading up to his debut,” said Marc Zumoff (76ers play-by-play announcer from 1994-2021). “All of us who had the chance to see those secret sessions had to hide our excitement, knowing he could be a really, really good player one day.”

The Sixers still finished with a dismal 28-54 record, but there was hope on the horizon. Embiid was healthy (mostly), Simmons was returning, and Philly fans could finally envision a brighter future.

But, just as the star was coming out of his shell, expressing his love for both Shirley Temples and Rihanna, while dominating on the floor, disaster struck him and the 76ers once more.

Embiid’s rookie season came to an abrupt end in March 2017, when it was announced that he suffered from a torn meniscus that would require him to miss the remainder of the season.

Coming off of a 17.5 point per game rookie campaign where he finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting, this was sophomore center Jahlil Okafor’s chance to shine as the team’s starting center.

However, that was not the case, as Okafor’s underwhelming interior defense and lack of intensity off the glass was apparent. The center averaged 12.8 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game in Embiid’s absence with the 76ers sinking to 28-54 to finish the season.

Philadelphia reserved their regular seat in the 2017 draft lottery, but with Embiid showing major promise, Simmons set to return next season, and Saric having a strong rookie year, there was a reason to be optimistic about the 76ers.

The 76ers’ costly mistake in the NBA Draft (2017)

The 2017 draft night will always be a “what if” for Sixers fans. Philly traded up to select Markelle Fultz with the first pick, bypassing future All-Star Jayson Tatum, who’s since haunted the Sixers in countless playoff battles.

Fultz’s bizarre shoulder injury sidelined him for most of the season, adding to the team’s endless injury woes. Meanwhile, Embiid balled out, earning his first All-Star nod and leading the Sixers to a 52-30 record. Simmons impressed in his debut season, taking home Rookie of the Year honors and guiding Philly to its first playoff berth since 2012.

Embiid even returned to action in the playoffs, sporting a black mask dubbed “The Phantom of the Process,” as the Sixers knocked off the Heat before falling to—you guessed it—Tatum’s Celtics.

The “Process” started to work (2017-2018)

After years of suffering through losing seasons and key injuries, the Philadelphia 76ers were finally ready to make some noise with their invaluable core of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz.

Unfortunately for Philadelphia, old habits die hard as Fultz only played 14 games in the 2017-2018 season due to a freak shoulder injury that derailed his shooting form and it reflected in the numbers.

Coming off the bench, Fultz produced per-game averages of 7.1 points, 40.5% shooting from the field (7.9 attempts), and 0% accuracy from downtown (0.1 attempts).

Despite Fultz’s troubles, Embiid picked up where he left off from last season, receiving his first all-star selection, making second team in both the All-NBA/Defensive categories while finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting (won by Rudy Gobert).

2016 first-overall pick Ben Simmons appeared to live up to the lofty expectations set for him in his rookie campaign as he controversially beat Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell for the 2018 Rookie of the Year award.

Simmons combined his athleticism and court vision to average 15.8 points per game and 8.2 assists per game while using his ability to get downhill to enable the 76ers to finish top five in pace (99.8).

Just as it seemed Philadelphia’s injury demons were behind them, Fultz ironically crashed into Embiid and ended up fracturing his left orbital bone, forcing him to miss the last few games of the regular season.

After Simmons led the team to close out the season on a 16-game winning streak to finish 52-30, the 76ers would go on to make their first playoff appearance since the 2011-2012 season, against Goran Dragic-led Miami Heat.

Embiid was able to return to action in Game 3, wearing a black face mask and being donned “The Phantom of the Process” and Philadelphia was able to win the next three games, closing out Miami 4-1.

The 76ers were then matched up with a Boston Celtics team that lost star Kyrie Irving due to injury but were as hot as ever led by none other than Jayson Tatum. Philadelphia had some memorable moments in the series like Embiid’s poster on Aron Baynes and premature confetti.

Still, the Celtics were simply a better all-around team both on paper and the court with a core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, Al Horford, and Marcus Morris. Boston was able to eliminate Philadelphia 4-1, but this season was a major step for the 76ers.

The modern era of 76ers basketball (2018-present)

Little did anyone know that the Philadelphia 76ers falling to the Boston Celtics would be a common theme in the Joel Embiid era as the team has notoriously failed to reach the Eastern Conference since the 2000-2001 season.

The Embiid era has been defined by incredible highs, crushing lows, and a constant lack of continuity. From Jimmy Butler’s brief run in 2019, to the Ben Simmons drama in 2021, to James Harden’s arrival and departure, Embiid has never had a stable supporting cast.

The two constants? Tobias Harris (and his massive contract) and Tyrese Maxey, who’s rapidly becoming the team’s next star.

Despite the chaos, Embiid has remained one of the league’s best. He’s battled through injuries, flirted with multiple MVPs, and carried the Sixers deep into the playoffs. But he’s also come up short, with the team repeatedly bowing out in the second round.

Now, with Paul George in the mix and a fresh contract in hand, Embiid has another shot at delivering a title to Philly. It won’t be easy, but it’s clear that Embiid’s passion and love for the game—and for the city—are as strong as ever.

Not to mention, the plethora of injuries Embiid has suffered through over the years that potentially cost him multiple MVP awards, but most importantly deep playoff runs, especially this past season where he looked like the best player on the planet.

There’s a chance Embiid could end up as one of the greatest players never to win an NBA title. But that shouldn’t overshadow everything he’s meant to this team and city. From shooting jumpers on a folding chair during rehab to dominating on the biggest stages, Embiid’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and undeniable talent.

“I believe [Embiid] actually had fleeting thoughts about quitting the game. That last part is understandable, given all of the challenges he’d faced before he finally played, including the surgeries which delayed his debut two years and the devastating passing of his younger brother Arthur from an auto accident two years before he made his debut,” said Zumoff.

Here’s to hoping “The Process” finally pays off, and Embiid’s journey ends with him hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy, cementing his place among the all-time greats.

Mandatory Credit: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Freshman journalism major at Temple University, NBA/76ers contributor for The Liberty Line, and owner of Sixercountry on Instagram, which has over 40,000 followers. I am aspiring to be a credentialed 76ers reporter and top NBA personality.

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