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Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, has a simple and clear message for the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason which is winning a championship in the 2023-24 season. The star center, who has been with the Sixers since he was drafted in 2014, expressed his hunger to win the championship whether it's with ‘Philly or anywhere else’.
Embiid's comments raised some eyebrows among Sixers fans and analysts, as he hinted at the possibility of leaving Philadelphia if the team does not make the necessary moves to contend for a title. Embiid has been loyal to the Sixers throughout his career, but he has also witnessed several failures and disappointments in the postseason.
When asked about his future with the Sixers, Embiid said, "I just want to win a championship. Whatever it takes. I don't know where that's gonna be. Whether it's in Philly or anywhere else. I just want to have a chance."
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The Sixers have made the playoffs for six straight seasons, but they have never advanced past the second round. They have been close on three occasions, losing Game 7s to the Toronto Raptors in 2019, the Atlanta Hawks in 2021, the Miami Heat in 2022, and the Boston Celtics in 2023 and 2020. Embiid has been one of the best players in each of those series, but he has not received enough support from his teammates or coaching staff.
Embiid averaged 33.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in the 2023 regular season, leading the Sixers to a 54-28 record and the second seed in the Eastern Conference. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the Celtics, who had a balanced attack led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Embiid is entering his eighth season in the NBA, and he is still in his prime at 29 years old and has proven that he is one of the best players in the league. The Sixers have to listen to his message and act accordingly this offseason, or they risk losing him to another team that can offer him a better opportunity.
