Slimmer Embiid focused on ‘whatever it takes’ to be healthy in playoffs this time originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Joel Embiid is determined to avoid more playoff injury déjà vu.
For many years, Embiid’s default stance on questions about his health was that he’d push to play in just about any circumstance. After yet another season in which he plowed through postseason problems, the Sixers’ 30-year old superstar center appears to have a different perspective.
“I think I lost about 25, 30 (pounds this offseason). I’ve still got a ways to go,” Embiid said Monday at the Sixers’ media day in Camden, New Jersey. “Still want to lose more, but it’s a process. (President of basketball operations Daryl Morey) would tell you this: As soon as we lost last year, I texted him and I was like, ‘We’ve got to do whatever it takes to make sure that, in the postseason, I’m healthy.’
“This year, there’s no agenda — All-Star, All-NBA, there’s none of that. It’s whatever it takes to make sure that I get to that point and I’m ready to go. For basically every single year of my career, I’ve been hurt in the playoffs. I think that’s the goal. It’s all about doing whatever it takes to get there.
“Physically, I’m OK. I’m not where I want to be, and I know I’ve got their support and they all want the same thing. Until I’m at that point where they feel like I’m ready to go, I’m sure they’re going to hold me back. Like I said, the focus is on whatever it takes to get to that stage and be healthy. I believe, with the guys that we have and what I can bring to the table, we have a pretty good chance.”
Embiid returned last year from a left knee lateral meniscus injury to play five of the Sixers’ final seven regular-season games. He was clearly not at his physical peak in the playoffs, however, dealing with multiple injury scares and an unfortunate case of Bell’s palsy that caused migraines and weakness in the muscles on the left side of his face.
Despite all that, he scored 50 points in the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the Knicks and averaged 33.0 points, 10.8 rebounds,…
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