August 03, 2016
Remember the below ditty from all the way back in March 2015?
What injury? The Joel Embiid hype train was moving faster than the Acela Express, as the No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft was ramping up his pre-game workouts and providing nightly highlights for those who could watch from courtside. He was looking very much on target to play in the 2015 summer league, and more importantly, the 2015-16 season.
A couple of days later, Embiid was in a walking boot. And a couple of months later, he was undergoing another surgical procedure on the navicular bone in his right foot.
Despite that major setback, that Embiid hype train is back on track. And while the Cameroonian big man’s health is still a major, major question mark as he prepares for the 2016-17 NBA season, you can still understand why Sixers fans get excited about Embiid’s prospects.
Just check out the latest video of him working out this summer. 7’2” big guys shouldn’t be able to do all of this highlight-reel stuff so fluidly, even in an empty gym:
Rookie year....... @DrewHanlen pic.twitter.com/8gVTu9XkUN
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 3, 2016
There’s no question that Embiid needs to start playing his games this year. Until training camp starts, though, one minor suggestion: While it’s undoubtedly an impressive maneuver for someone his size to pull off, bag the between the legs dunks.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
