Philadelphia 76ers star big man Joel Embiid isn’t worried about the start of a potential Boston Celtics dynasty.
With the Celtics one win away from their 18th title in franchise history, Embiid was in the building for Game 4 and joined ESPN’s NBA Countdown panel to discuss Boston’s incredible run this season.
But Embiid, a conference rival of the Celtics, believes that even if the Celtics close out the 2024 Finals over the Dallas Mavericks, a Beantown dynasty isn’t in the cards.
“I don’t think so, not with the new CBA,” Embiid told ESPN. “You also gotta understand, the whole East was kind of hurt this year, myself included.”
Asked if he was coming for the Celtics next year?
“That’s a pretty good bet,” Embiid said.
Embiid struggled with injuries this season, as he played in just 39 regular season games where he averaged 34.7 points and 11 rebounds.
The 2023 MVP had surgery in early February to repair an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee that forced him to miss close to two months.
He returned near the end of the regular season and played in the 76ers’ Round 1 series against the New York Knicks which they lost in six games. However, he was still clearly bothered by the knee injury and a lack of conditioning due to the injury.
The 76ers star also made sure to take one last shot at the Celtics before he left the ESPN panel.
“I can’t stand them, I hate Boston,” Embiid said when asked how the Celtics’ run has made him feel. “Great city, great fans, and obviously they have some great players.
“But it hurts me a lot.”
As the NBA season heats up, one of the most anticipated matchups in the Eastern Conference is between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. With both teams boasting talented rosters and high expectations, many fans and analysts are already looking ahead to a potential Celtics dynasty. However, Sixers star Joel Embiid remains unfazed by the hype surrounding their rivals, citing the numerous injuries that have plagued teams in the Eastern Conference.
Embiid, who has been a dominant force for the 76ers this season, believes that injuries have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of the Eastern Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks, who were considered one of the top contenders in the East, have been dealing with injuries to key players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Similarly, the Brooklyn Nets have been without their star player Kevin Durant for an extended period of time due to injury.
In a recent interview, Embiid expressed his confidence in the Sixers’ ability to compete with any team in the East, including the Celtics. He emphasized the importance of staying healthy and building chemistry as a team, rather than focusing on potential dynasties or rivalries.
Despite the Celtics’ strong start to the season and their impressive roster led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Embiid remains focused on leading the 76ers to success. With a talented supporting cast including Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Seth Curry, Embiid believes that the Sixers have what it takes to make a deep playoff run and compete for a championship.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Eastern Conference as teams jockey for playoff positioning and supremacy. While the Celtics may be garnering attention as a potential dynasty in the making, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are determined to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with, regardless of injuries or external expectations.