Photo: NBC Sports

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has revealed he’s been working out six times a week to ensure he’s in shape for the NBA’s planned restart next month.

The center, arguably the best in his position league-wide, has been criticized for his fitness level on many occasions, but says he has something to prove ahead of the season’s resumption in Orlando.

Speaking in an interview with NBA.com‘s Lauren Rosen, Embiid said:

“We’ve been going at it for the past four weeks, about six times a week, just trying to get a head start, and get ready for whatever’s coming. I have something to prove, and I feel like whenever that opportunity comes, it’s going to be my time.

“I felt like before the season got shut down, I was on that path. Especially after that All-Star game, my mentality completely changed. First part of the season wasn’t up to my standard, not even close. I was on that path of changing it all, go out, and make it happen.”

Brett Brown Joel Embiid
Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer/Associated Press

Joel Embiid Saw His Stats Drop This Season

Embiid hadn’t been performing as well as he did last season prior to the league shutting down in March. The player saw his scoring average drop from 27.5 points a night to 23.4, with his rebounding also dropping from 13.6 to 11.8.

It wouldn’t be wrong to assume perspective has changed given the current conditions and fans will be looking forward to seeing the kind of production they’ll be getting from their All-Star big man later this year.