Joel Embiid didn’t hold back when it came to addressing his critics. The Philadelphia 76ers star made his return to the hardwood Friday night after nearly eight months of recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery, and he had plenty to say about how the NBA media has treated him during his absence. His comeback game—a convincing 126-110 preseason win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Xfinity Mobile Arena—served as the perfect platform for his pointed remarks.
Embiid Calls Out Sports Media Rankings
The former MVP didn’t mince words when discussing how he’s been portrayed by basketball analysts and writers. “I see all these guys. I’m here to help out. According to a lot of your peers, I’m not even a top-100 basketball player in this league. So, I guess I just gotta fit in and see where I can help the team win,” Embiid said after the game. While he kept things somewhat vague about specific outlets, the frustration in his voice was unmistakable—clearly aimed at the various media rankings that have knocked him down several pegs.
The Numbers Tell a Harsh Story
You can’t really blame the media for being skeptical. Embiid’s injury troubles over the past two seasons have been well-documented, limiting him to just 58 games combined. That kind of absence doesn’t go unnoticed in player evaluations. ESPN dropped him all the way to No. 47 in their top 100 rankings this season—a staggering fall from his No. 8 spot last year. The Ringer wasn’t much kinder, placing him at No. 54, while Bleacher Report showed a bit more faith with their No. 26 ranking. Still, for someone who once carried MVP hardware, these numbers have to sting.
Vintage Embiid Shows Up in Minnesota
But if Friday night was any indication, reports of Embiid’s decline might be greatly exaggerated. The big man looked every bit like his All-Star self against the Timberwolves, putting up 14 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and three steals while shooting a crisp 50 percent from the field. He even knocked down half of his three-point attempts, showing the kind of versatility that made him such a nightmare matchup in his prime. Sure, it was just preseason, but the fluidity was there—the explosiveness, the court vision, the defensive instincts that separated him from the pack.
When reporters asked about his approach to the game, Embiid’s response revealed a more zen-like mindset than we’re used to seeing from the typically fiery center. “I don’t want to really think about the past. I’m just in a good space mentally, physically. I’m just happy to touch the basketball and be able to play basketball and do what I love. When you don’t get to do that, it’s tough. That’s what I was focused on tonight—playing, helping us win, and doing some good things.”
Coach Nurse Sees Encouraging Signs
Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse couldn’t hide his satisfaction with what he witnessed from his star player. After watching his team endure a catastrophic 24-58 season last year, seeing Embiid move with confidence and purpose had to feel like a breath of fresh air. “I thought he moved good, played good, shot it good, passed it good. I didn’t see too many negatives out there,” Nurse told reporters, his relief almost palpable.
The 76ers organization and their fans are banking on Embiid staying upright and productive this season. With playoff hopes riding on his health and performance, his return couldn’t come at a better time. Whether he can silence those media critics with a full season of dominant basketball remains to be seen, but if opening night is anything like his Minnesota showing, those rankings might need some serious revisions.
