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Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid is known as one of the best players in the league regardless of position. He is almost unstoppable in the low post, he can shoot it with range, and he is an excellent defender.
However, in the 2019-20 season, he did not receive any postseason accolades. He did not make an All-NBA Team and he did not make an All-Defensive team and Embiid did not like that while issuing a warning to the rest of the NBA.
The big fella used those snubs as motivation in the offseason and he plans on using it for the entirety of the 2020-21 season.
“Oh, yeah, for sure,” Embiid started. “Everybody that knows me knows that I care a lot about winning. These guys do. That’s why I’ve been here because they see it every day, the way I carry myself, and the way I work, the things I care about. The other part, individual awards, it was tough.”
Embiid averaged 23 points and 11.6 rebounds in what was considered a down year for him. His offensive fit next to Al Horford was awkward and he was not able to do much with the lack of space the team had on offense.
Still, Embiid put up a good stat line and he is still considered one of the top players in the league. Considering all of that, he believes he should have made an All-NBA Team.
“When you consider the top 10 NBA players, when you’re up there and not make an All-NBA Team that just shows you a lot,” Embiid added. “It didn’t even have to do with the way I really played last year because truthfully, I think I averaged 23 and 12 or something like that I thought that was enough, but it is what it is, I can’t get mad at it.”
As the team prepares to enter a 2020-21 season looking to bounce back from a disappointing previous season. An important part of individual awards is a team’s win percentage. It is important to win in this league and Embiid now fully understands that.
“Just thinking about it I was extremely disappointed because I didn’t get the respect that I deserve,” he finished. “You got to be able to win so that’s where it starts, you got to win. If you don’t win, you’re not going to get that respect, so that’s all I care about because at the end of the day. When you win, everybody else wins. That’s the best thing that I’ve learned since I got to the league. It’s not about just me, it’s about a team because if I make these guys better, and they’re making it better and we’re all winning together, then everybody wins. Everybody gets contracts, everybody gets awards, and all that stuff so I’ve always said that’s where I think it starts. Winning.”
Philadelphia’s chance at redemption begins on Dec. 23 at home against the Washington Wizards. [lawrence-related id=39887,39884,39881]