Philadelphia is the hardest team to project in next season’s Eastern Conference. If healthy, they are legit title contenders — but “if” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. Paul George has had offseason knee surgery.

That was the biggest takeaway from Dotun Akintoye’s phenomenal Joel Embiid feature that ran on ESPN on Wednesday morning. The enigmatic Philadelphia 76ers superstar provided rare access and vulnerability talking about the ups and downs of his NBA career in the type of longform piece that rarely exists in today’s media landscape.

"That's my fault. I'm a piece of s—t" - Joel Embiid on the first thought that went through his head after he learned of his brother's death originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Details of what was said in that meeting were leaked the next day, as we learned Tyrese Maxey challenged Joel Embiid over being constantly late and not setting the standard as the team's star. Embiid was upset that became public knowledge, saying whoever leaked the info was a "real piece of shit" and vowed to figure out who did it.

Fans of the 76ers were quick to hit back at John Kincade after he suggested a recent article about Joel Embiid was a PR move.

Joel Embiid has developed a reputation as a troll. But this aspect of the big man has persisted since his college days, as his coach recalled a hilarious story from his time at Kansas.

Even his most painful grief has been thrown in his face. At the start of Embiid's rookie season in 2014, his 13-year-old brother Arthur was hit by a truck and killed. The day Arthur died, Embiid ignored a series of phone calls. When he finally answered, it was terrible news.

Joel Embiid spoke about ring culture in a recent interview. He does not believe rings determine a player's greatness. He cited Charles Barkley and All

Joel Embiid On Shoving A Reporter In 76ers Locker Room: The NBA Can Fine Me $1 Million, $2 Million, $5 Million, $10 Million, I Don't Care originally appeared on Fadeaway World.