CAMDEN, N.J. -- As the Philadelphia 76ers get ready for the preseason, the focus is continuing to get ready for the challenges they will inevitably face and make sure they are on the same page. The Sixers will be looking to build off what has been described by many as a productive training camp, but a lot of eyes will be on Joel Embiid.
The 2023 MVP winner, Embiid continues to be one of the top players in the league when he is right and healthy. That is when the big fella can continue to be somebody who can make a difference and dominate a game. Embiid returned from an appendectomy late in the season to help the Sixers rally from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Boston Celtics in Round 1.
Jabari Walker, in his second season with the Sixers, was
able to notice a big difference between his first season playing with Embiid compared to this past week of training camp.
"He’s having fun," Walker stated. "I like when Joel’s talking crazy and just being competitive, and that's how you know when Joel feels good. So, Joel being competitive and blocking shots and doing what he does. Not worried about him at all."
A big theme for the Sixers is "sacrifice". Obviously, there are a lot of stars on this roster. Embiid will have to sacrifice some shots as will guys like LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and others. However, if the Sixers win? Then that's the only thing that matters.
"We're gonna see who everyone is by what they're willing to do, and I'm comfortable with who I am and my beliefs and I want to win," Walker added. "So, it's gonna it's gonna be shown. I have no problem sacrificing. I think we have the same with the characters we have. They're all willing to sacrifice, and that's what I've learned since stepping in that these guys just want to win."
At the end of the day, it appears the only goal for this group is to win. The Sixers are focused on making sure they get the job done, but sacrificing will be a key word and theme for Philadelphia all season.
"We have the same common goal," Walker finished. "A lot of guys talk about it, but we have a group; you could tell they want to win. It makes me want to sacrifice even more."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' Jabari Walker gives insight into how Joel Embiid has looked
