The Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has often struggled with weight issues. The baller is currently listed at 280 lb which many say has significantly impacted his knees, especially during playoff times. If fans are to be believed, Embiid’s weight problems combined with his wingstyle play have impacted his stamina and speed. Therefore, social media was abuzz that the self-proclaimed star “the Process” needed to follow one when it came to his weight issues. And as the season is approaching, Embiid has done just that.

According to a recent tweet by famous journalist Paul Hurdrick on Monday, Embiid texted the President of basketball operations of the Philadelphia 76ers Daryl Morey, once the season was over, informing him that he had lost 25 or 30 pounds and would love to continue his regime further to come to the right weight that could help him overcome his injury struggles.

When Enbiid was asked the reason behind his team’s poor post-season runs, the 30-year-old didn’t mince any words in harsh admission that his issues with injuries have often impacted the 76ers winning chances. Talking about the Philadelphia Championship title drought,  Embiid admitted “I’m sure everybody asks themselves questions if you care about the right things and you care about winning and it hasn’t happened. Which, I’m probably at fault, too,” in an interview with David Marchese.

Though Embiid also subtly pointed out that his taking the risk of playing through injuries has only worsened his condition, the Cameroon-born also didn’t shy away from opining that “that’s all my fault probably because I haven’t performed at times at the level that I know I can.” Embiid’s relationship with injuries is not new. Last season he had missed two months after going through a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee.

Then when the 76ers qualified for the playoffs and battled it out against the New York Knicks, a visibly troubled Embiid couldn’t perform up to his potential as the Philadelphia-based team was ousted from the Round 1 with a 4-2 margin in six games. Though Embiid averaged an exceptional 33 points with 10.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, he couldn’t help his team book a spot for the conference semi-finals, and that surely would have hurt him. And now that he is losing weight, the 76ers might have a go at the title this season with renewed energy.

Can the Philadelphia 76ers be powered by Joel Embiid?

The 2023-24 NBA season was marked by trouble for the 76ers. They had fired their coach Doc Rivers and instead got a new one on the payroll: Nick Nurse. While the team was adjusting to the playing style of Nurse, starting the season with a decent 29-13 record, they faltered when Embiid was out of the season for two months due to his injury. During that time, the 76ers had an abysmal 11–22, and despite a late return by Embiid, they couldn’t climb higher than the seventh spot in the NBA rankings. However, they did make it to the playoffs where they were eliminated in Round 1 by the New York Knicks.

As Embiid is moving on his path to reduce his weight, the NBA veteran Paul George got into a four-year deal with the franchise. While Embiid has been their key player and the squad is built around him, fans opine that George might be the addition to what’s missing in their roster. Additionally, signing the center  Andre Drummond could provide the necessary depth to the 76ers who might be successful in inching closer to the title this year.

And Embiid with his commitment to basketball has once again proved his dedication. Now all he needs is support from his team to have a go at the Championship title this year.