What Sixer has the most to prove?

Joel Embiid Has the Most to Prove for the Sixers This Season

The Sixers have arguably the most talented roster in the NBA this upcoming 2026-27 season, the team has finally put the pieces together under new president Mike Gansey.

When you look at the current roster and think what player has the most to prove, your mind may drift to Joel Embiid, and for very good reason.

Embiid does not need to prove that he is talented. He is an MVP, and one of the most dominant big men in all of basketball. Last playoffs, even while injured he proved just that in the Boston series when the Sixers completed the 3-1 comeback in the first round.

The real concern is can Embiid be there when the Sixers need him the most? 

Philadelphia has surrounded with arguably the most talented roster of his career. Tyrese Maxey is a real star, VJ Edgecombe is one of the most exciting young players in the NBA, and then you add Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to the roster. Not to mention sneaky pieces off of the bench with a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year contender in Anfernee Simons.

This means the excuses are running out. We do not need Embiid to shoulder the offensive load every night now, it is better that he is asked to do less in the regular season so we have a fully primed, ready Joel Embiid come postseason.

Because that is ultimately what this Sixers team will be judged on, they have a real roster, and Philadelphia is expecting a championship after all of these years, and after all of these failed “process era” experiments. 

People are not going to remember a 40-point game in January if Embiid is limited, questionable, or outcome May. The Sixers spent years failing to get past the second round, and this roster has been constructed to change that.

Embiid can prove himself by being on the court, adapting to a fully loaded roster, and doing what he does best, dominating, just this time hopefully in a deep playoff run.

That is why Joel Embiid has the most to prove this season. 

PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO/MATT SLOCUM