An exciting time in basketball is well underway, as the league’s most elite franchises are currently going head-to-head each week, all of them competing for the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy that will be presented to the winner of the NBA Finals in late July.

So far, the playoffs have been a wild ride, especially considering Lebron and the Lakers were shockingly eliminated from a chance at a back-to-back Championship victory. However, after this big upset, the league is moving forward with its matchups as the award is looking promising for several other organizations.

One of these is undoubtedly the Philadelphia 76ers, a team who surprisingly has not won a Finals title in over 35 years, but now ranks in the top position in the Eastern Conference. Their star athlete, Joel Embiid, is one huge reason behind the 76ers overall success, and has risen to the top in the sport, shocking fans and commentators alike with his superhuman abilities. In this article we take a look at a few things that make the center and power forward tick.

1. His Size and Strength

It’s impossible to talk about Joel Embiid without drawing attention to the player’s out-of-this-world physique. The seven-foot powerhouse is taller than a good portion of active NBA players today, and it isn’t hard to notice as he glides across the court, knocking passes and protecting the rim with ease.

His natural defensive abilities combined with his obvious basketball intelligence are only enhanced by his size and strength. During in-game action, it’s clear that opponents are cautious of the court’s biggest body coming at them with fierce determination. The Cameroonian superstar’s physical frame allows him to make plays that others simply cannot.

As the playoffs continue, the latest NBA predictions point to Philadelphia as the Championship winners, a title they have not received since they crushed the Lakers 4 games to 0 in 1983. Although Embiid wasn’t on the roster then, now Philadelphia fans can place their faith in the momentous talent of number 21. The only thing up for debate is his ability to remain healthy on the court, which takes us to our next point: playing through pain.

2. His Ability to Play Through Pain

Embiid is no stranger to in-game injuries. The basketball star suffered from a torn meniscus back in 2017, preventing him from participating in All-Star game events. This year, his meniscus injury presented itself in his right knee, forcing him to spend some time on the bench yet again. However, it didn’t keep him away for long as he made his way back onto the court in time for crush the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2, scoring 40 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

If Embiid is able to keep up this momentum for the majority of the season, the 76ers will be hard to beat. Although he may be touch and go for the time being, there’s no doubt that Embiid has an extreme determination to compete and remain on Philadelphia’s active roster.

3. His Offensive Resume

It’s clear that Joel Embiid is a monster on the defensive side, but what is astounding is the fact that he delivers equally for the 76ers offensive team. When it comes to his output, Number 21 has scored more points per game (27.4) than any other player during the 2021 postseason. One thing’s for certain – when he is off the court, the rest of the organization feels the weight of his absence.

4. His Self Confidence

The most successful basketball players have historically combined their momentous talent with a degree of intrinsic self-confidence and motivation – just think Michael Jordan. In the same way that the Bull’s icon believed in his teammates and himself to perform exceptionally, so does the Philadelphia power forward.

Embiid’s self confidence is clear, as he has suggested numerous times in press conferences that he places a lot of faith in his own abilities. One example is in 2018 when he was asked to name a player that could guard him, he responded plainly to commentators with, “Not a single one.” This amount of self-assurance combined with his already present and obvious talent makes him an unstoppable force.

5. He Embodies the Franchise’s Motto: “Trust the Process”

76ers fans know that the MVP-caliber star commonly goes by the nickname “The Process,” a name coined from the Philadelphia “Trust the Process” chant that fans would exclaim during games. This chant is based off the team’s former GM, Sam Hinkie, and the ideas he used to motivate the team when he initially joined the organization’s administration back in 2013. Today, there is no one that embodies the phrase more than Embiid.