Joel Embiid Ready To Get Philadelphia 76ers Career Going

Joel Embiid has yet to make his NBA debut with the Phildelphia 76ers, but after two years he is ready to get on the court and is excited to get things going.

Joel Embiid has had a tumultuous start to his NBA career. Embiid’s NBA career has not actually begun yet, as he has been unable to get onto the court for the Philadelphia 76ers. Embiid was selected with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, but has yet to appear in an NBA game.

The former Kansas Jayhawk has undergone two surgeries on his foot, which has sidelined him for the last two seasons. Embiid dealt with a fracture in the navicular bone in his right foot, which required multiple procedures.

But here we are, more than two years after he was selected by the 76ers and he finally looks ready to get onto the court. Embiid said that he is finally feeling 100 percent, something anyone involved with the 76ers organization and their fan base is excited to hear.

Embiid expressed optimism when talking to Philly.com earlier in the weekend. He has been putting in a lot of work this summer in workouts and scrimmages with his teammates and is ready to get his 76ers career under way.

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"“I feel 100 percent and ready to get started,” said Embiid, who spoke while making an appearance at the Sixers’ annual Beach Bash on Saturday. “We have been working on a lot this summer, and I got a chance to play a little bit against the guys, and it has been going great.”"

Embiid has garnered some attention while sidelined for his antics off the court. He enjoys using Twitter and some people have questioned his effort during rehab. Those worries can be put to bed after watching his workout vidoes.

Embiid has looked great during workouts this summer and should slide right into the 76ers’ rotation, if not the starting lineup. He has been working on all facets of his game and has looked impressive given his size and time away from the court.

Embiid has been working hard, and it is not going unnoticed. His head coach, Brett Brown, recently talked to Zach Lowe of ESPN. Brown also came away impressed with what he saw Embiid doing on the court.

"“I just left my third consecutive day working out with Joel,” Brown said on “The Lowe Post” podcast. “He just is so on track, he’s on track in his head, he’s on track physically. I will tell you that, behind closed doors, physically, mentally, recent scans medically, everything is pointing in the right direction.”"

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During their discussion, Brown also confirmed that Embiid will get his first action for the 76ers during the preseason. The 76ers get their training camp started next month, with their first preseason game being scheduled for Oct. 4 against the Boston Celtics.

That will be an intriguing first game, as the Celtics and 76ers have been rumored to be trade partners. The 76ers are looking to open up the logjam they have in the frontcourt, as Embiid will be joined by Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor at center.

The Celtics were one of the teams that were very interested in acquiring Okafor, but nothing came to fruition during the 2016 NBA Draft.

As a result, the 76ers still have that logjam. For the time being, that may actually be a good thing. While Embiid is confident in his recovery, he knows that the 76ers will not want to risk a setback and will take it easy with him in the early going.

"“I think the decision will probably be about that I haven’t played in two years,” he said to Philly.com. “It won’t be because people are worried that I am going to reinjure myself, which I don’t think is going to happen, but it will be about the fact I haven’t played in two years and take it slow.”"

The fact that he has missed the last two seasons, people will be skeptical until he can show that he is healthy. The only way for that to happen is for Embiid to get onto the court and quell everyone’s concerns.

Embiid is excited to finally get off the sidelines for training camp and practice, and who could blame him? It will be an exciting time for him and any basketball fan to see him back on the court.

He was one of the best prospects coming into the NBA when he was drafted and the videos of him working out have done nothing to change that.

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These are exciting times for the 76ers, as Embiid is one of many young players to bring optimism to the organization. Getting him back on the court will be a boon for the team both on and off the court.