NBA Playoffs 2020: 5 reasons the Philadelphia 76ers can win it all

2. Joel Embiid has gotten healthy

Managing Joel Embiid’s minutes during the regular season is a significant headache for the 76ers front office and coaching staff. Presumably, he’s gotten a ton of rest over the last several weeks. That should allow him to play more playoff minutes than ever before.

That might expose him to some additional injury risk, but it’s likely a risk the 76ers are willing to take if they can show signs of postseason life. Embiid only played 30.2 minutes per game in the regular season. Pushing his time on the floor into the mid-30s would give Philadelphia a massive boost.

Embiid provides big value for his team on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he gives the 76ers a place to throw the ball when everything else is breaking down. Low-post offense isn’t all the rage in the modern NBA, but Embiid is good enough to make it a reasonably efficient proposition.

His best skills come on the defensive end of the floor. He’s a massive center that has the size to protect the rim at a high level. He also shows off amazing quickness for a man his size. Embiid simply swallows up guards who try to take advantage of him in switch situations.

The more Embiid can play for the 76ers, the better off they’re going to be. The rest he’s received due to the current pandemic should allow his coaching staff to push him in the postseason.