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NBA: 10 Players Who Must Prove Themselves In 2016-17

By Michael Saenz

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half of Tuesday night
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the second half of Tuesday night /
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Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Joel Embiid, Philadephia 76ers

Joel Embiid has missed the entire first two seasons of his NBA career. However, there’s a growing sense that this could finally be the season in which Embiid returns. After multiple procedures on his foot, I’m just hoping he’s healthy enough to finally take the court – forget him being great.

That’s the biggest thing that Embiid has to prove this season. Forget the expectations, because there shouldn’t be any for him at this point. He’s essentially a rookie and just needs his career to begin.

Get healthy.

It’s always difficult to see a player’s career impacted by injury, especially for a rookie. I just hope Joel Embiid isn’t the NBA’s next great “what if”.

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