The All-Star break is normally a time for guys to relax and unwind a bit from the grind of a long NBA season. For Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid, it is a bit different for him as he has obligations to fulfill at All-Star weekend.
For the third consecutive season, Embiid was named an All-Star starter as he spent All-Star weekend being surrounded by some of the game’s best players. From LeBron James to Kawhi Leonard to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Embiid was surrounded by greatness.
Embiid is no slouch himself, as evidenced by the 22 points and 10 rebounds he put up in the game itself, and he’s already ranked among the game’s best players. Some believe that players can learn from the game’s greats, but he doesn’t see it that way. He has something else in mind.
“Nothing really,” he said with a smile. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves and just have fun. Maybe do a little recruiting.”
Joel Embiid, with a smile, when asked what he’ll take away from All-Star Weekend into the second half of the season. “Just have some fun. Maybe do a little recruiting.”
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 15, 2020
Embiid has had a bit of a stressful season. He has had to make a huge adjustment of playing next to Al Horford and the offense has looked a little clunky at times, but he has begun to find his groove and get back to being who he is. So, sometimes the break can mess up a groove, but Embiid is also appreciative of the time off.
“I mean, kind of,” he explained. “I wish we were playing, though, because I feel like I was getting back to myself and I was getting back into that mentality of just dominating. So it’s cool, but it’s going to be a nice couple days off.”
The Sixers superstar big man will now have maybe a day or two to unwind before the team gets back at it on Thursday when they host the Brooklyn Nets. They have 27 games left before the playoffs begin and this team has a championship in their sights. They will need to prepare for a deep playoff run. [lawrence-related id=25965,25953,25944]