With LeBron James in L.A., some have been quick to proclaim Joel Embiid the best player in the Eastern Conference. While that might be a stretch — Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are good — he’s certainly in the conversation. That’s a positive sign for Philadelphia 76ers fans.
Embiid finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season. He also made second team All-Defense and second team All-NBA, with a starting All-Star spot thrown in for good measure. That all came in his second NBA season.