Joel Embiid feels like he’s being doubted by the media ahead of his 10th season with the Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n
Embiid brought up the subject when asked about his decision to send ahead long outlet passes during Friday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves.<\/p>\n
“I think I just see all these guys, I’m here to help out,” Embiid answered (h\/t On Pattison’s Austin Krell). “According to a lot of your peers, I’m not even a top 100 basketball player in this league. So I guess I’ve just gotta fit in, and see where I can help the team win basketball games.”<\/p>\n
Embiid recorded 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the field in 19 minutes on the court as the Sixers won 126-110 in his first game action in more than seven months.<\/p>\n
The Sixers star added that throwing passes down the court saved him from overusing the left knee he underwent surgery on in April.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want to have to run up and down, and then I can just let those guys push the pace, attack, and if we don’t have anything I’m always trailing anyways,” Embiid said.<\/p>\n
Philly Voice’s Adam Aaronson<\/a> recently published a round-up of how Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey came out in player rankings ahead of the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n The former NBA MVP dropped from No. 8 in ESPN’s 2024 rankings to No. 47 this fall<\/a> after missing all but 19 games of the 2024-25 season due to injuries.<\/p>\n ESPN’s Tim Bontemps<\/a> noted in the ranks that Embiid was “obviously a top-10-caliber player” if healthy for the 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n Both Bleacher Report<\/a> and CBS Sports<\/a> ranked Embiid at No. 26, and each outlet noted he would be ranked higher if his health this season could be guaranteed.<\/p>\n