SAD NEWS: Joel Embiid is among the worst superstar performers in playoff history for five main reasons.

Joel Embiid is among the worst superstar performers in playoff history for five main reasons.
In the postseason, Joel Embiid has not yet demonstrated that he is a genuine superstar.

When considering his regular season accomplishments, superstar center Joel Embiid is creating a resume fit for the Hall of Fame. In addition to three All-Defensive team honors, he has won two scoring crowns, an MVP award, seven All-Star selections, and five All-NBA Team selections. Even if his CV is becoming better every season, he hasn’t done well in the playoffs, therefore we need to examine the key factors that make him one of the worst superstar performers in playoff history.

One of the most formidable players in the NBA when healthy, Joel Embiid, has struggled with a crippling injury history all of his career. It’s concerning that Embiid was unable to keep up a steady health during the regular season. He has just twice in his career played in 65 or more games. One cannot emphasize how important it is to have a player of Embiid’s caliber accessible all the time. His inconsistent availability hinders the Philadelphia 76ers’ season-long efforts to establish team unity and a rhythm.

Embiid’s injury problems have been more noticeable during the postseason:

2018: Had an orbital fracture, which probably had an impact on his vision and general performance.

2019: He battled knee tendonitis, which restricted his range of motion and efficiency on the floor.

2021: He suffered a serious knee injury (a torn meniscus) that significantly reduced his range of motion and performance.

2022: Had several ailments, such as a broken thumb ligament, concussion, and orbital fracture, which surely hindered his play and diminished his ability to give it his all.

2023: Had a knee sprain that ended up seriously hurting his series with the Celtics.

Despite the fact that injuries are a terrible aspect of sports and cannot always be attributed to a player, Embiid’s ongoing health issues have undoubtedly caused the 76ers to suffer, particularly in pivotal playoff moments. His kind of player is supposed to be a pillar for his club, especially in situations where the playoffs are very important. But his wounds have frequently left the The 76ers’ prospects of winning big each and every season are greatly reduced when they are missing their main offensive threat and defensive mainstay.

Embiid’s primary opponent for the title of best center in the NBA, Nikola Jokic, has clearly exceeded Embiid in terms of individual honors and team accomplishments. Jokic would rank among the all-time greats if he were to win a third MVP award this season in addition to his two previous honors. In addition, he won two Conference Finals appearances, guided the Denver Nuggets to an NBA championship, and won the MVP award in the prior season.

During his time with the 76ers, Embiid has had the opportunity to play with a number of All-Stars, including Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, and James Harden. The fact that the 76ers haven’t advanced past the Eastern Conference Semifinals in spite of this underscores Embiid’s incapacity to lead his club to greater postseason success.

Embiid’s rival for the title of NBA’s top big man, Anthony Davis, is also a part of the 75th Anniversary Team and has outperformed Embiid in terms of postseason accomplishments. Davis has appeared in two Conference Finals (2020 and 2023) and was a key player in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run.

When healthy, Joel Embiid is without a doubt the NBA’s dominant player, yet he has underperformed.