2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Whether it’s easy to believe or not, Joel Embiid is about to embark on his sixth playoff run. It’s time he starts to make deeper runs in the playoffs. He has yet to make a conference finals and now with a team playing at a very high level, there is a certain level of expectation for this team (and Embiid as the Sixers’ best player) to make a move in the Eastern Conference.
Embiid is having an MVP-level season and has been the best big man in the East this season. He’s likely going to be the best player every time he steps on the floor this postseason. It’s time he begins to win like one. If the Sixers are unable to make a deep postseason run this year, you can’t help but wonder if this team is ever going to be able to figure it out.
Add in the fact that there may be some outside reasons that this could be the final run for this Sixers’ core and that’s even more pressure to prove that they can win as currently constructed. Heading into this playoff run, this is likely the most pressure that Embiid has ever been under.
The big question is, can he deliver? We know he can in the regular season. It’s time for him to lead the Sixers to a deep playoff run.