Joel Embiid

For 852 days, the Philadelphia 76ers’ fanbase, amidst decisions both certain and uncertain to work, were encouraged to follow a cliché, yet reasonable mantra: “Trust the Process.” One might argue that on October 26, 2016 — on a night in which no championship banners were raised, and no regular-season victories, even, were had — the arrival of one Joel Embiid made a once-muddy vision much clearer. Healthy, and prepared to take the Association by storm over the following decade, Embiid’s debut illustrated much of what ultimately made him the league’s 2022-23 Most Valuable Player, a multi-time All-Star, and one of greatest point-per-minute scorers to ever grace the hardwood. Beginning the journey through an inside-the-arc, reverse-pivot spin bucket, Embiid, in a moment later said to be “one of the best moments” of his life, brought to life a Wells Fargo Center crowd itching to cheer after a half-decade of struggle. What followed is exactly what one might anticipate: elite-level rim protection, elegant, extraordinary three-level scoring, and a box score that matched. Even in a season-opening loss to the new-look Oklahoma City Thunder, Embiid’s Day One proved worth remembering, as he recorded 20 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one 3-point make.

Rookie Year

Rookie Premiere