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Based on how he has been playing throughout the season, it's not difficult to make a case about Joel Embiid being the best big man in the game today. Reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic might have a thing or two to say about this notion, but what cannot be denied is that the Sixers superstar has done enough to prove that he is indeed an all-time great center.
What's equally impressive in Embiid's career year is the fact that he's been healthy this season. Apart from the nine games he missed in November after entering the league's health and safety protocols, the 28-year-old has sat out just three other games throughout the season. He is now on track to play the most regular-season games in his career.
Embiid recently admitted, however, that the Sixers already have plans in place with regard to giving him a couple of nights off as the season winds down. According to Embiid, he intends to heed the advice of Philly's medical team if they tell him to sit out games for rest:
Article Continues Below“I'm gonna listen to them,” said Embiid. “I know they have their opinions, and they were gonna talk to me. Obviously, I've been on the court. I haven't missed really any games besides those COVID times, so I'm gonna listen to what they have to say, but the goal is obviously to win a championship. At some point, you gotta think about what's gonna take us there, and I have to be extremely fresh for the playoffs, so I would imagine I will sit a game or two to finish the year.”
Philly has yet to officially clinch a playoff spot, but they are expected to finish in the Top 4 this year. Right now, however, they are just two games behind the top-seeded Miami Heat in the loss column. The top spot is definitely still within reach for Embiid and Co., but at this point, it sounds like they have the bigger picture in mind. As Embiid said above, they now consider his health for the postseason as their top priority.
And then there's also the matter of the MVP race. Embiid is currently neck-and-neck with Jokic for the league's Most Valuable Player this season. The Sixers big man currently holds a slim lead over Jokic, but anything can still happen in these last few remaining weeks of the campaign. Embiid and the Sixers definitely have this running at the back of their minds, but again, the primary objective is winning an NBA title. They will only be able to achieve this if Embiid is healthy in the playoffs.
Be that as it may, Embiid has also made it abundantly clear that he's going to be keeping his foot on the gas the rest of the way. The season has been grueling for the five-time All-Star, but he is well aware of the sacrifices that need to be made if they want to win it all:
“I just gotta keep pushing,” said Embiid. “What, 14 more games? We're almost there, and then we'll figure out the rest later, but I'm fine. Just gotta keep pushing.”
It is worth noting that the Sixers have a back-to-back set coming up. They take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday before hosting the Heat in a marquee matchup the following evening. Based on Embiid's statement here, it would not be surprising if he ends up sitting out Sunday's clash with the Raptors.
