Despite struggling with a knee injury for the past two seasons, Joel Embiid continues to be a leading voice within the Philadelphia 76ers locker room. The former MVP is a genuine superstar; thus is an ideal leader for a roster that carries championship expectations despite struggles in recent years.
During an interview with “Sixers on SI,” Jared McCain detailed why Embiid is such a core part of the Sixers roster. McCain also explained what makes Embiid such a high-level leader and the impact he has on his teammates, not just on the court but also behind the scenes and during training sessions.
“You know, sometimes it’s vocal, sometimes it’s just by his actions, you can tell when he walks into the gym, you know, certain energy, it shifts,” McCain said. “People want to impress him, you want to see what he’s like. When he steps on that court, it brings the whole level of practice, the whole level of the game, up into a different level, and I think that’s the best part about him.”
Embiid played in 19 games last season. Therefore, McCain is yet to get the full Embiid experience, which also means there is more for him to learn, especially regarding how Embiid’s leadership can galvanize and/or deflate the roster depending on the situation.
Both the Sixers and Embiid have eyes on a championship push. Winning the Larry O’Brien trophy is clearly a primary goal. Therefore, the veteran big man’s leadership will undoubtedly a core factor in the Sixers bid for success and how everybody stays on the same page as the NBA schedule throws it’s inevitable twists and turns.