The Boston Celtics have been one of the playoffs’ most consistent faces for the last decade, and the same can be said for Joel Embiid. However, the Philadelphia 76ers haven’t had the same success as Boston, especially considering that the Celtics are now coming off their 18th title in franchise history.
Where Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have found success, Joel Embiid has faltered. The former two have been to three straight Eastern Conference finals, while Embiid has never reached that point in the postseason. This past year, he got bounced in the first round of the playoffs and wasn’t fully healthy. He wants to avoid that next season.
But that still shouldn’t scare the Celtics.
Joel Embiid and the 76ers shouldn't scare the Celtics
At 76ers Media Day, Embiid expressed his willingness to do anything possible to be healthy during the playoffs. He said that he doesn’t care about awards and is only going to focus on health.
“Daryl will tell you this. As soon as we lost last year, I texted him, ‘We got to do whatever it takes to make sure that, in the postseason, I’m healthy,’” Embiid said. “So, this year, it’s all about. There’s no agenda. There’s no All-Star. There’s no All-NBA. There’s none of that. It’s vwhatever it takes to make sure that I get to that point and I’m ready to go.”
Joel Embiid says he lost about 25 to 30 pounds this offseason:
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) September 30, 2024
“I still got a ways to go, still want to lose more…We got to do whatever it takes to make sure that in the postseason I am healthy. There’s no agenda, no All-Star, no All-NBA.” pic.twitter.com/23IOnQNu0m
Last year was the first run since 2020, in which Embiid played in every postseason game. In The Bubble, he got swept in the first round, and this past year, Embiid was playing while injured—and lost in six games.
With Paul George in town and Tyrese Maxey fresh off his first All-Star appearance, the 76ers seem primed for a great year, and hearing Embiid talk about prioritizing health is a great sign, too.
But the Celtics shouldn’t be concerned.
Embiid’s biggest fault has been his inability to win in the playoffs, but a big reason he hasn’t been able to go far in the posteason is because of the Celtics. He has run into Boston three times, and each time, the 76ers have lost.
Perhaps Embiid wasn’t fully healthy, but regardless, the Celtics have come out on top every time. And history means something.
If Embiid, Maxey, and George stay healthy for the postseason this year, it may be Philadelphia’s best chance at beating the Celtics yet. But Boston still shouldn’t be worried.
Not only have the Celtics made it a point to worry about nobody but themselves, but the 76ers are also very far down the list of teams they should be concerned about.
Boston has a better rotation, more playoff success in recent years, and plenty of experience beating the 76ers in the postseason. Regardless of Embiid’s new agenda, they should be unmoved right tnow.