Joel Embiid’s surprise return, a new offense, and why I’m already back on the Sixers this season

Honestly, I didn’t think this day would come. After all the heartbreak, the collapses, and the “Trust the Process” scars that will never fully heal, I was out. Like most of you, I told myself I wouldn’t let this team hurt me again. And then Joel Embiid happened on Friday night during a preseason game against the Timberwolves.

Joel Embiid. You know the name. Former NBA MVP, the franchise, and unfortunately, the reason we all wanna jump off a bridge in May, walked back onto the court for the first time since February. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but after one preseason game against those T-Wolves… I might be all the way back in.

Joel Embiid’s return was awesome…

A return to remember for Joel Embiid tonight 🔔

14 PTS | 7 REB | 8 AST | 3 STL | 18 MIN pic.twitter.com/AgnSIryKGn

— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2025

I’m not a coward. Yeah, the Sixers have broken me just like they’ve broken every single one of us. After seeing Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and rookie VJ Edgecombe light it up last night, I’m ready to believe again.

In just 19 minutes, Embiid posted 14 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. But more importantly, he looked happy, engaged and a guy who finally believes in the system around him.

“I don’t think I should fit in,” Embiid said after the win. “The way I’ve always wanted to play is everybody touching the ball. Ball moving side to side. People getting off the ball and just playing together.”

That’s not something we’ve heard from him before. This wasn’t the iso-heavy, slow-it-down Embiid we’re used to. This was Nick Nurse’s vision coming to life — a fast, unselfish offense built on movement and trust.

And it worked. Maxey dropped 27. Edgecombe put up 26. Quentin Grimes added 22 off the bench. That’s the kind of balanced, modern basketball that can actually win in today’s NBA.

“We Needed Youth” — and the Big Fella Knows It

Embiid didn’t sugarcoat it either.

“It’s good,” he said. “We needed, especially after last year, some youth. Just athletic guys. We struggled rebounding, shooting the ball, transition. I think VJ, Q — they’re gonna be big boosts. Obviously Paul George coming back, Tyrese taking another step. I feel like we’re in a good spot.”

When’s the last time you heard Embiid talk like that? I mean seriously. Forget the typical doomsday vibes and passive-aggressive shade. That was simply belief.

The New Joel Embiid

The craziest part? Embiid wasn’t just scoring, he was distributing. Every rebound, every outlet pass, he was scanning the floor like a quarterback in rhythm.

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“I’m here to help,” Embiid said. “According to a lot of your peers, I’m not even a top 100 player in this league, so I guess I just gotta fit in and help the team win games.”

That right there is petty MVP energy and I love it. You can feel the chip on his shoulder. The disrespect fuels him. When Embiid’s fueled, the rest of the league should be terrified.

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