“All-Time Great Big Men”: Philadelphia 76ers President Details High Expectations from Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers made drastic changes to their coaching staff and their front office on the back of a disappointing playoff run in 2020. Daryl Morey is now the new President of Basketball Operations at the Sixers camp, and he has plenty of praise for Joel Embiid! 

No matter who comes into the Sixers franchise, Joel Embiid gets the praise that he deserves. The Big Man has been co-anchoring the team over the past few years, and a lot is expected from him in the coming seasons. 

When NBC Sports’ John Clark sat down for a chat with Daryl Morey, the latter expressed what he felt about Embiid as a center and the goal that he has to accomplish to go down in NBA’s history books. 

“Frankly, I think he [Embiid] has the talent level to be in the list of some of the best of all time,” Morey said. “Obviously, we all have to prove and show that over time. But honestly, he has a chance to be in this list of all-time great big men.”

Morey joined the franchise during the 2020 offseason after ending his tenure with the Toronto Raptors. Following his exit, the Wisconsin native has set high hopes on the Sixers’ cornerstone pieces who have yet failed to deliver to their potential. 

“Now that we have Joel and Ben,  foundational pieces, I would expect less trades here,” Morey told Clark. Now, this is certainly an intriguing statement, as recent days have been filled with speculations about James Harden joining the Sixers through a massive trade deal! 

Also Read: How Much Are Philadelphia 76ers Paying New Hires Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers?

How Joel Embiid can help bring success to the Philadelphia 76ers

A lot has been resting on Embiid’s shoulders ever since he signed with the Sixers in 2014. Even though the franchise has arguably one of the most dynamic duos in the league, they’ve failed to find any major success. 

The team has experienced major lows as a team, but have chosen to continue to fight until they find glory. Now that Doc Rivers has come in as their Head Coach, one can expect him to bring major changes. Success is just right around the corner, and Rivers might be the final piece to the puzzle the team needed. 

Former NBA player Tim Legler mentioned how Rivers should form a powerful bond with Embiid, for them to scale great heights in the upcoming season. 

“If I’m Doc Rivers, I’m posing that to him (Joel Embiid). Like, ‘Listen, I’m going to do everything I can to help you schematically. We’re going to do things differently here. You’re going to like what we’re going to do,” Legler mentioned. 

“And he might say all of the right things. The question is we have to see if how he shows up and conducts himself throughout the season… He absolutely could get this team to the Finals,” Legler added. 

The Sixers are undoubtedly top contenders in the East for the 2020-21 NBA season. Rivers has a lot to figure out with the team, and with Simmons and Embiid at the heart of it, any coach can achieve wonders with their talents present on the roster. Can the Sixers prove their worth this season?

Also Read: “We Were All Disappointed with Where We Were”: Sixers’ Co-owner Details the Signing of Daryl Morey