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It is important to have close friendships in life. We all have that one friend that we can all rely on and count on no matter what is going on in life.
For new Philadelphia 76ers guard Justin Anderson, that person is star big man Joel Embiid.
Anderson was acquired by Philadelphia in 2017 in the Nerlens Noel deal and he spent a season and a half with the Sixers. Before his initial stint, he had already had a friendship with Embiid and they got closer over time.
As Anderson was finishing out his time with the Brooklyn Nets and looking for a new NBA home, he was in Embiid’s ear during their time in the bubble letting him know that he wanted to return.
“Me talking with him in the bubble, hanging out with him in the bubble, and talking to him during this quarantine and letting him know that I’m a free agent,” Anderson said as training camp got underway on Tuesday. “I want to be able to be a part of this and try and help this team win, all the things came together at the right time and I’m just thankful for the opportunity, but it’s time to get to work.”
When Anderson signed a partially guaranteed contract to return to Philadelphia, the first person who contacted him was the big fella.
“It was absolutely one of the biggest reasons of wanting to be here,” said Anderson of Embiid. “When I found out, he shot me a text and was like ‘Let’s go!’ and I was like ‘Let’s do this, man’. There isn’t really much to talk about, it’s just like any other close friend that we all have. I consider him my brother. I’ve known him for a long time before we both came into the NBA.”
As friends, Anderson and Embiid push each other to be the best they can be. In a time where the Sixers believe they can win a title, they will need the big fella to be at his best as the season goes on. That is where Anderson will come in.
“I think he’s the most dominant big in the NBA and one of my favorite things to do is push him,” he said. “I think he has [the] potential to go and make some noise this year. He’s hungrier than ever and that’s what friends do. For him, he pushes me as well to be the best and train and work hard, whatever. It’s kind of weird talking about an authentic relationship especially to people who don’t understand it. That’s my boy, that’s my dog.”
As camp continues, Anderson will have to fight for a spot on this roster, but Embiid will certainly be in his ear pushing him to be better every day. After all, what are friends for? [lawrence-related id=39660,39652,39648]