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'It didn’t work out this year…' Joel Embiid reacts to Knicks loss after being only MVP in history to not make conference finals

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Joseph Varghese | Last updated 5/3/24

At the start of the season, Joel Embiid was motivated to win an NBA title. After all, that is what the next progression is once he wins the league MVP award. Fast forward to today, and the Philadelphia 76ers big man and his team are out of the playoffs in the 1st round at the hands of the New York Knicks.

After the game, reporters asked Joel Embiid if the team was not up to the standards needed to win.

Our job is to get better as basketball players. I think we have an amazing group of guys. Obviously, it didn't work out this year. But we also played a great team. The New York Knicks, they did a great job; they played together for a long time. The group of guys that we had this year were amazing. I still believe if everything that if went right, we had a chance. But everything didn't go right. Joel Embiid replied

Embiid alluded that since a lot of issues plagued the team this year, he is happy to have his teammates around him. He believes if everything fell into place; they were poised to go deep in the playoffs.

It is not hard to deny what the MVP said. First, it was the James Harden saga. Harden forcing a trade meant the Philadelphia 76ers were already on the back foot in terms of negotiations. That meant the bench was not strong enough for the team to repeat their previous success.

"It didn't work out this year, but we also played a great team. The New York Knicks, they did a great job."

– Joel Embiid pic.twitter.com/PJhov0NeSo
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 3, 2024

Then it was Embiid’s knee injury which he suffered in late January. Since that injury, the 76ers went 10-20 without their superstar, plummeting them down the standings.

Joel Embiid wants to compete for the NBA title next season

For Joel Embiid, nothing else is on his mind other than to win an NBA title. Only that can give him the level of success he wants to achieve before his playing career winds down. But he cannot do it alone. Therefore, he suggested that the front office will have to make tough decisions for next season.

The tough decisions that the Philadelphia 76ers have to make are with regards to which players to re-sign. After a long time, they will head into next season with a lot of cap space. Essentially, giving them a chance to clean the slate.

However, next year’s free agency market does not have too many great players. Therefore, trying to woo one of them is going to be difficult, considering the premium those players will demand.

However, a clean slate is better than a full one, which needs rearrangement. If President Daryl Morey can construct a good team around Embiid, the superstar center can try and fulfill his goal of an NBA title.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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