Joel Embiid says there have been periods over the last few years where he was miserable and hated going to the gym and the 76ers needed to bring in guys who have the answers to the “NBA ultimate test” “I went through a period the last few years, obviously, I’ve come down with injuries. I just hated coming into the gym. Like, injuries, I can’t play, this and that. I was miserable, and depressed. I just thought that’s the biggest thing we need — that, not necessarily joyful personality, but something else. And I’m a grown man. A lot of it is on me to fight through it. But then again, it’s also nice when you have other people around you that felt that way and can boost you up a little bit.” (nytimes.com/athletic/7709316…)

Asked Paul George when the last time was that he felt this healthy: “My stint in LA. I was pretty healthy to finish my last year there, and then honestly, going to Philly, I just had a bad hyperextension that really set me back, and I couldn't quite shake that one — it was an ongoing thing of my leg, my knee not feeling strong, and it was rough, right? Because I was trying to rest, but I was also trying to be available for the team, and just couldn't quite find the time to let it all come together.”

Good luck this season, @sixers!

M