Fansided

5 biggest disappointments of the 2016-17 NBA season

By Dre Elder

Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as fans chant his name after a score against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as fans chant his name after a score against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks after the whistle against the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks after the whistle against the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joel Embiid

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We had to wait two long years to see Joel Embiid take the court for the Philadelphia 76ers. Foot injuries kept the 7-foot big man from Cameroon on the sideline after being drafted third overall out of Kansas in the 2014 draft.

On Oct. 26, 2016, Joel Embiid made his NBA debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He scored 20 points, grabbed 7 boards, and blocked 2 shots in 22 minutes of action. The 76ers lost the game, but there was reason for fans to be excited again.

That excitement only intensified as a result of Embiid’s minutes restriction and the team mandate preventing him from playing in back-to-backs. With Embiid on the floor, the 76ers were a much different team than what fans had grown accustomed to seeing.

And once he got more acclimated to the NBA game, his impact grew exponentially. In the month of January, the 76ers were +16 points per 100 possessions when Embiid played compared to -2.6 points per 100 possessions over his first 22 games. Embiid averaged 23.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game in January, on a 60.2 true shooting percentage. Embiid was hitting his stride and the 76ers were 8-3 over the last 11 games he played before tearing the meniscus in his left knee.

The man who had been nicknamed “The Process,” was now gone. Embiid’s joyous personality and stellar play won him legions of fans far beyond the Philadelphia city limits. He only made this list because we all must await his return to action, again.

Joel Embiid remains the clear choice for Rookie of the Year, despite only playing 31 games. Go ahead and try to find a better option from this year’s rickety rookie class.

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