Where Is Embiid’s Best Chance To Win A Title?
Late Sunday night, Joel Embiid had a sit-down interview with Maverick Carter, where he spoke about aspirations of a championship. The 2022-2023 Kia Most Valuable Player said, “I just want to win a championship,” which is not uncommon for a player to say. Interestingly, he added that it could be in Philadelphia or another city, but he just wants a crack at it. Throughout many of the 76ers shortcomings in the postseasons, Embiid has been the issue sometimes and other times it’s his cast. Let’s talk about some teams, including Philadelphia, that give Embiid a shot at a title. These are not necessarily in order.
“I just want to win a championship, whatever it takes. I don't know where that's going to be, whether it's in Philly or somewhere else...It's not easy but every single day I work towards it.”
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 17, 2023
- Joel Embiid
(h/t @RTNBA ) pic.twitter.com/ehCUSIytdi
Philadelphia 76ers
In all reality, everything outside this quote points to Embiid loving Philadelphia. He is the longest-tendered Sixer with his willingness to fight through countless injuries for this city. We have seen other stars use injuries to not suit up for a squad before. As much as Embiid loves this city, is there light at the end of the tunnel for this team?
There aren’t many ways this team can improve. They could get some young pieces or savvy vets in a deal with James Harden, but that won’t necessarily be the push they need. Embiid’s best chance to win in Philadelphia is to be ready when the playoffs arrive. He has rarely been healthy when the playoffs come around, and the one time he was, Ben Simmons was injured, and they got swept by the Celtics. His destiny lies in his own hands in Philadelphia.
New York Knicks
THIS is all I want...🔥🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/5HjIQb3U5A
— The Knicks Recap (@TheKnicksRecap) July 17, 2023
etting Embiid to the Knicks is another question in itself, but let’s discuss their title odds with the MVP. Embiid would be the best player on the Knicks if he went there right now, but that does not mean the offense would go through him, and that is okay. Running an offense through a center that isn’t a historic-level playmaker and hasn’t won championships since Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan, if you consider him a center, is difficult.
Jalen Brunson would probably be the best scorer Embiid has played with. James Harden was one of the best to do it at his peak, but he cannot consistently get you 25 a night anymore, nor does he want to. Harden has fully accepted a pass-first role, but that might not be what Embiid needs. Brunson will make plays with scoring and passing, meaning Embiid won’t have to shoulder so much offensive load. New York would give Embiid a better shot at a title than Philadelphia.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid both work out with NBA trainer, Drew Hanlen. Photo Credit: Winslow Townson/ USA TODAY Sports
Plain and simple, Jayson Tatum and Embiid would be the best duo in the association. Boston would have a much better chance at winning a championship with Embiid than Philadelphia. The same logic applies to the Celtics and Tatum. Tatum can get buckets whenever he feels like it and will do so. Tatum is not the top-notch playmaker that Harden is, but his playmaking is more than enough to get Embiid involved while splitting the loads as the main scorers.
With an already stacked defensive personnel and an Embiid with a lesser offensive load, the sky is the limit for this squad when healthy.
Final Thoughts
These were just some teams with more than enough ammo to get the MVP if he were to ask out of Philadelphia. Other teams may not have the assets now but could when the time comes, but let’s not make hypotheticals to answer more hypotheticals; we are very much in a dream world at the moment. Embiid has a shot to win in Philadelphia if he can stay healthy. He would have a better chance in New York or Boston.
