Joel Embiid Wants to Validate LeBron James’ Title Aspirations With 76ers: “I Need to Win”

Joel Embiid and LeBron James share the goal of bringing a championship to the Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid Wants to Validate LeBron James’ Title Aspirations With 76ers: “I Need to Win”

LeBron James and Joel Embiid (Image credits - FirstSportz)

Joel Embiid is an accomplished player in the league in terms of regular season awards. He is a former MVP, two-time scoring champion and has also been named in the All-NBA First Team. But for everything he has achieved, his achievements have not translated into postseason success.

Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as the number three pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid was the heart and soul of “The Process”. Unfortunately, constant injuries and health remains a concern throughout his career.

The 76ers have never made it past the second round of the playoffs with Embiid. After falling short once again last season, they have gone all out in the summer to surround him with the tools to win a championship.

They started off their summer by trading for Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster trade before signing LeBron James as a free agent on a two-year deal.

While speaking about his move to Philly, James revealed that one of the biggest reasons he chose them was to help Embiid win his first ring. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Embiid shared his thoughts and discussed James’ recent comments.

To have him say that it kind of validates not so much what I’ve accomplished but the way my peers might think about me. I’m at the point of my career where I need to win. Between everything that’s happened, that would be a good ending for the city of Philadelphia. And they deserve it.

Joel Embiid in an interview with Malika Andrews

The excitement surrounding the 76ers is sky-high after the offseason they just had. Embiid has led the 76ers to the playoffs eight times in his 10 seasons with them.

His health has always remained a concern, but prior to James’ move to Philly, the big man assured the King that he feels better than ever and has never been this healthy during the summer in the past.

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Joel Embiid speaks about the 76ers’ roster after signing LeBron James

LeBron James joins the 76ers after an impressive 23rd season in the NBA. While he may be well past his prime, James has shown that he is still a force to reckon with after his performances in the playoffs last season. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to the second round in the absence of Luka Doncic.

With Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and VJ Edgecombe in the starting five, the 76ers boast the most dominant starting five in the league. However, critics have questioned how the team will gel together with so many ball-dominant players on the court.

During his conversation with Andrews, Embiid weighed in on the hurdles the team is facing ahead of the new campaign.

The biggest hurdle that we have is how quick can we all get together. Last couple teams that had won a championship like it’s hard to put a team together after one year and be like, go do it. It’s not impossible. It’s been done before, but it’s gonna take everybody to be able to accomplish that goal.

Joel Embiid in an interview with Malika Andrews

Following the signing of James, Maxey revealed that they will need to set their egos aside and learn how to share the ball. With James joining the 76ers, Embiid has another opportunity to pursue the championship that has eluded him throughout his career.

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What would winning a championship in Philly mean to Joel Embiid?

It has been a long time since the 76ers last won the NBA championship. Back in 1983, Moses Malone and Julius Erving led the team to victory. Since then, they have reached the NBA Finals just once and it was 25 years ago when Allen Iverson led them in 2001.

Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid (Image credits – Yahoo Sports)

Hence, it has been a long wait for Philly fans. During his conversation with NBA insider Chris Haynes, Embiid spoke about what it would mean to win a championship in Philly.

Everything. Personally, I’ve accomplished everything. I feel like there’s one thing missing. I would love to win a championship… most of all for the fans, the city of Philadelphia. They demand excellence.

Joel Embiid told Chris Haynes

Joel Embiid is heading into his 11th season in the NBA and arguably his most important one. The pressure and expectations to deliver a championship are higher than ever. If everyone is healthy, the 76ers remains the strongest contender to win it all next year.

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