The Rise of Joel Embiid: The Process Comes to Life in Philadelphia

Joel Embiid, the towering 7-foot center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has become one of the most dominant players in the NBA in recent years. His rise to stardom is a testament to the perseverance and patience of the “Process” that has been the guiding principle of the 76ers’ front office for the past several seasons.

The Process, as it is now known, began in earnest in 2013 when the 76ers hired Sam Hinkie as their general manager. Hinkie’s plan was to build a championship team through the draft by acquiring as many high-potential players as possible, even if it meant tanking for several seasons to secure high draft picks.

The Process was controversial from the start. Fans and analysts alike criticized the 76ers for intentionally losing games, and many doubted that Hinkie’s plan would ever result in a championship team. But Hinkie and the 76ers front office remained committed to the Process, and their patience began to pay off in 2014 when they drafted Embiid with the third overall pick.

Embiid was a risky pick. He had only played one year of college basketball at Kansas before being drafted, and he had already suffered two major injuries that would keep him out of action for his entire rookie season. But the 76ers saw something in him that others didn’t. They saw a player with the potential to be a dominant force in the NBA.

Embiid’s first few seasons in the league were plagued by injuries. He missed his entire rookie season and played a combined total of only 31 games in his first two seasons. But when he finally took the court in the 2016-2017 season, it was clear that he was worth the wait.

Embiid averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his rookie season, despite playing limited minutes due to load management. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and was widely considered one of the most promising young players in the league.

The next season, Embiid continued to improve. He averaged 22.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game and was named an All-Star for the first time. He also led the 76ers to the playoffs for the first time in six years, where they were eliminated in the second round by the Boston Celtics.

Embiid’s most impressive season came in 2018-2019 when he averaged 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team and finished second in the MVP voting. The 76ers once again made the playoffs, but were eliminated in the second round by the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.

Embiid’s rise to stardom has been remarkable, and it is a testament to the patience and perseverance of the Process. The 76ers’ commitment to building a championship team through the draft has paid off in the form of one of the league’s most dominant players.

Embiid is currently in the midst of an MVP-caliber season, averaging 29.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He has led the 76ers to the top of the Eastern Conference standings and is widely considered one of the best players in the league.

The Process may have been controversial, but it has proven to be a success in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid’s rise to stardom is a testament to the power of patience and the importance of trusting the process.