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When NBA teams go through a rebuild, the primary goal is to find a “franchise guy.” Someone they can develop in-house who can be the face of the organization for at least a decade. There can be a lot of trial and error with this, but sometimes, a front office makes the correct move that nets a cornerstone piece. Just ask the Philadelphia 76ers.
After years of mediocrity, the Sixers bottomed up in hopes of nabbing a young prospect who can lead the squad. All of their selections might not have come to fruition, but one stands out among the rest: Joel Embiid as the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Heading into the league, Embiid was a huge question mark. Due to continuous injuries and setbacks at Kansas, many speculated if he would ever take the floor. After two years of sitting out with the Sixers, Embiid finally had the opportunity to show what he was made of.
Since his debut, Embiid has blossomed into one of the top talents the NBA has to offer. He is a multiple-time All-Star and a pillar of the Sixers organization. It may have taken some time, but it's clear the team truly found a “franchise guy.”
In recent years, Embiid has made the jump from All-Star to superstar. If not for missed games last season, he was the clear-cut choice for MVP after a career year. The Sixers center is undoubtedly one of the top 10 best players in the NBA right now.
Being the team's best player, Embiid is seen as the leader on and off the court. It is something he takes with pride and continually works to improve on. Heading into the season, Embiid mentioned growth as a vocal leader as a big step for him.
It goes without saying why the Sixers have called on Embiid to be a leader more than ever. With everyone unfolding with regard to the Ben Simmons saga, the guys in the locker room need someone to fall back on and keep them focused.
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Due to multiple hits from health and safety protocols, the Sixers' season has gone off-course. They were once atop the Eastern Conference but now find themselves floating around .500.
Since making his return from COVID-19 protocols, Embiid has put together one of the most dominant stretches of his career. In the month of December, he has eclipsed 30 points five times and 40 points twice. He has also stepped up late in games and delivered clutch shots to help seal multiple victories for the Sixers.
This type of play is what organizations dream of from a franchise cornerstone. Embiid has done whatever is needed, on both ends of the floor, night in and night out.
From the beginning, Embiid's primary goal has been to bring a championship back to the city of Philadelphia. His passion and competitive fire to achieve greatness make him an easy player to root for.
Embiid is man-determined right now and is willing to do everything and anything to get the Sixers back to the top. He is without a doubt living up to the “franchise guy” tag.
