Joel Embiid Is Preparing His Body For The Grueling NBA Schedule

Everybody is excited and thrilled about the Sixers getting the third pick in the draft as well as last year’s number one pick, Ben Simmons playing next season, but really the team’s future revolves around big man Joel Embiid.  If he can get healthy and stay healthy, it puts the Sixers on the map and makes them a NBA Eastern Conference playoff contender, immediately.  It gives them one of the best players in the league.  If Embiid can’t stay healthy then, this team is still years away from being a good franchise.

CSNPhilly’s Jessica Camerato interviewed Embiid after the NBA Draft Lottery and he had some interesting things to say.  He started off talking about his health and his workouts at the Sixers facility in Camden, New Jersey.

“Every day I go in there and do some rehab on my knee. On my whole body basically. And then I get on the court shoot a little bit flatfooted.  And then lift and after lifting and I go in the pool and treadmill in the pool, and start running in the pool.  Usually I’m there about four or five hours every day.  It’s been going great and I think I still got two or three more weeks to go.  If everything looks good I’m going to start jumping and doing more stuff.”

I think the Sixers need to really push him physically, once he knee gets better and able to take the pounding.  His body must get stronger and more durable in order for him to stay healthy.

Next up, he talked about playing with Ben Simmons and his other teammates, who will be coming back as well as the rookies they’re going to draft in June.

“It’s going to be exciting.  I think it’s going to be a new group.  I think we’re going to have different expectations next year. I’m excited about that. I want to win.  I want to make the playoffs.  That’s a goal for me. The main goal for me is just staying healthy.  But I’m excited to play all the guys who are going to be back and and whoever we draft.”

Embiid got THE MAIN GOAL RIGHT, IT’S JUST STAYING HEALTHY!!!

Finally, Embiid told Camerato that he plans on being ready for opening night.  He talked about getting his body ready for the grueling NBA schedule.

“Just make sure my body is ready because  I think next year I’ll be able to play almost every game.  Just sure my body is ready to take on the toll of the NBA schedule, back-to-backs.  But I intend to play every game. We’re going to see how it goes.  but it’s just about getting strong and getting my legs strong. And making sure I’m ready for next year.”

I  like the goals he has of playing back-to-backs and playing every game.  Now it’s the work he must do day in and day out.  I don’t think it would be a bad idea for him to be working with Simmons, so they can push each other and get to know each other better.