Joel Embiid says he is healthy and intends to play as much as possible for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, provided he stays on track to peak in the spring. Speaking at 76ers media day on Monday, September 28, the 32-year-old centre made clear that reaching the playoffs in top condition remains the priority.
"I want to play as much as possible," Embiid said. "We got a plan. The plan is to make sure I stay healthy and then be on my best when we get to that time." He added: "Because you want to be at your peak in April, May."
The six-time All-Star described a calmer offseason spent with his family. "Summer was good. Had a great time with family obviously," Embiid said. "First summer I didn't have to worry about, you know, a lot of stuff. So just getting my mind right, my body right. Feel pretty good."
Embiid also welcomed the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, though he stressed he did not recruit James to Philadelphia. Of Brown, acquired from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George, Embiid said: "You're getting a guy, first team All-NBA, the job he did all these years, especially last year, when JT was hurt was huge."
Looking ahead, Embiid believes the revamped roster has the right blend to contend. "You got to be able to win. That's why I'm extremely excited about this team because we got the right mix of veteran leadership and the younger guys and everybody being on the same page," he said. Last season Embiid averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 38 games as Philadelphia finished 45-37 before a semifinal sweep by the New York Knicks.