Before we discuss the happenings of Friday, July 24, 2026, let’s revisit March 23, 2014.
On that spring Sunday, I sat near the late Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell during the opening rounds of Midwest Regional NCAA Tournament games being played at Scottrade Center (now Enterprise Center).
Proud Jayhawk that I am, I was confident we would top Stanford in a second-round game and move on to the Sweet 16 — even without starting center and future NBA top draft pick Joel Embiid.
Burwell warned me he thought an upset was brewing. Man, was he right. Stanford 60-57.
Since that day, unfairly maybe, I’ve had a sour attitude toward Embiid. While coach Bill Self never hinted that Embiid could have played, there were rumors that the future Philadelphia 76er had decided to miss the entire tournament.
Embiid had missed the Jayhawks’ final two regular season games and the Big 12 Tournament. There were legitimate concerns about his back pain.
He had averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, and helped KU land a No. 2 seed in the tournament. They were a favorite to reach the Final Four.
Obviously, that didn’t happen. Embiid would enter the NBA Draft and become the third overall pick by the 76ers.
Before playing a game that season, he injured his foot and would miss the entire campaign. A knee injury then cost him another season. His career was going nowhere.
Embiid’s up-and-down career in Philadelphia, which has included some success, fan scorn, and his own questionable attitude and effort, reached its peak when he won NBA MVP honors in 2023.
His team has never reached the NBA Finals, though. Suddenly, it has a chance.
The 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston in a trade earlier this summer that left Celtics fans seething with anger. Then, last Friday, LeBron James announced he would sign a two-year $8 million deal with the 76ers.
Add NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey to the mix of players and Philadelphia could take control of the NBA Eastern Conference.
The reigning NBA champion New York Knicks still are slightly favored in the conference, but our hometown hero Jayson Tatum and his Celtics find themselves looking up at the upstart 76ers.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James said in his announcement on X.
His first assignment is to energize the sometimes-flighty Embiid. Regardless of his injury status in 2014, I never thought Embiid was as serious about winning the NCAA Tournament as he was playing in the NBA.
His KU teammate Andrew Wiggins, who was also an NBA first-round pick, showed much more enthusiasm for the college game. Wiggins would later win an NBA title with the 2022 Golden State Warriors, something Embiid has failed to do.
James could be the deciding factor in whether Embiid reaches the elusive goal of a title. James is presumably in his final two seasons, and Embiid is 32. The NBA clock is ticking.
Meanwhile, Embiid has not officially commented on James’ decision. When the Knicks chased Philadelphia out of the playoffs, Embiid was healthy. For the first time in a long time (knock on wood) he will begin the 2026-27 season without any physical setback.
James’ agent and lifelong friend Rich Paul didn’t shy from obvious concerns.
“I don’t want to be hard on Embiid, but you have to think about all those [health] things,” he said.
“From my understanding, Embiid is doing a hell of a job this summer. It’s the first summer he’s actually been healthy. Not having some type of surgery over the summer, which is always good.”
That is hardly a glowing endorsement. For now, I’m excited for Embiid. Let’s see if he lets me, and Philly, down again.
The Reid Roundup
Jayson Tatum has not publicly commented on LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers, but he may have taken a shot at former Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown while speaking to basketball campers at Wohl Recreation Center in St. Louis last week. “Being a leader doesn’t mean you know it all. Being around somebody that feels like they know it all, I don’t wanna be around that person.”…My guess is that the Celtics and 76ers play on Christmas Day.
Joell Embiid’s health is still going to be something to watch. He is injury prone which is well known. Jaylen Brown vs Jason Tatum is going to be pure cinema. This upcoming NBA season is going to be so much fun to watch. My popcorn will be ready.