Sports Journalism Makes a Comeback
There’s a newfound energy in sports journalism, highlighted by a recent feature on Joel Embiid published by ESPN. The piece dives into the mysterious life of the Philadelphia 76ers star, offering a rare glimpse into his journey, the highs and lows of his NBA career, presented in a way that’s increasingly rare in today’s media landscape. As the 2025-26 season approaches, Embiid stands out as one of the league’s biggest wild cards.
Despite playing only 19 games last season, it seemed Embiid was ready to repeat his MVP performance from 2023 before a knee injury sidetracked him. Now at 31, he should be in his prime, but this injury has undoubtedly taken a toll. Embiid’s story is remarkable, especially considering he missed the first two full seasons of his career and much of his third due to a foot injury. That he becomes an MVP and a top scorer in the league is a narrative often overshadowed by discussions about his professionalism.
He addresses his journey honestly in the feature, making it a worthwhile read—perhaps setting aside about 30 minutes to delve into the full 12,000 words. Some sections really stand out, but they’re a bit dense, and, well, who has that kind of time?
Injury Recovery Oversight
Embiid’s rookie season was sacrificed to surgery following a leg injury. At times, the team thought he was “lazy” during recovery as his weight increased, but Embiid insisted he was trying to protect his health, feeling undervalued by those in charge.
Former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie brought in David Martin from the Australian Sports Institute to oversee Embiid’s rehabilitation after the initial monitoring was done by an intern.
Hinkie aimed to modernize the health and performance strategies of the 76ers specifically with Embiid in mind. His rehab, however, started under much less experienced supervision.
No More Conversations with James Harden
The closest the Sixers came to success in Embiid’s time was in 2023 against the Boston Celtics during the playoffs. After taking Game 1 while injured, they managed a 3-2 series lead upon his return, but ultimately faltered in Games 6 and 7, with contract disputes about Harden creating tension.
Harden, who had taken a pay cut to help build a competitive roster, expected the organization to return the favor but was met with dissatisfaction when he sought a new contract. The situation escalated dramatically, especially when Harden, speaking from China, labeled Daryl Morey a liar. He was eventually traded to the Clippers just before the new season.
These contract talks soured the relationship between Embiid and Harden, leading to Harden ceasing communication with him.
“People don’t know this, but even James may not understand,” Embiid shared. “He may think I’m part of the reason he’s not here. But I won the scoring title, he won the assist title. Our pick and roll was unstoppable.”
Surprising Physical Resilience
In January 2024, Embiid was playing some of his best basketball. He rushed back for the playoffs against the Knicks, but continued to face challenges—including a diagnosis of Bell’s palsy that impacted one side of his face during his recovery. Teammate Nicolas Batum reflected on how difficult it was to watch Embiid struggle physically, expressing disbelief that he could still walk, let alone play.
“I was next to him in the locker room, and after every game, I could see what he was dealing with,” Batum recounted. “It was hard to comprehend how he was managing.”
Trust Issues with the Organization
A recurring theme throughout the feature is Embiid’s tenuous relationship with trust in the organization. A notable example surfaced when he mentioned to an ESPN reporter that he might need another surgery while recovering from his knee injury, surprising everyone in the front office.
Embiid expressed that he felt the organization didn’t take his feelings seriously, forcing him to seek outside opinions.
“If you’re not going to listen to me, I need to explore other options,” Embiid explained. “When I told Lisa, that felt like a plea for help.”
A Leak that Hurt Trust
Last year, during a team meeting, Embiid dealt with a confrontation from younger teammate Tyrese Maxey regarding his tardiness. When the details of that private meeting leaked to the media, it only deepened Embiid’s trust issues with the organization.
“I know who leaked it,” Embiid revealed during a late-night conversation after the season. “But I’m not naming names. The past is the past. Once that trust is broken, it’s hard to be fully on board again.”
It certainly appears that the 76ers have let Embiid down at various critical points in his career. It’s uncertain what lies ahead, but one hopes this isn’t the final chapter of his NBA saga.
