Joel Embiid on 76ers Hype: 'Where Was Everyone 3 or 4 Years Ago?'

Joel Embiid was critical of the bandwagon fans and national media who are now offering praise for the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Embiid wanted to know where everybody came from after years of dismissing the Sixers: 

"But my mindset has always been three, four years ago no one was around, no one was talking about us. So … anything that always comes, I'm like, that's nice. But where was everybody three or four years ago?

"So it's nice. But I don't really pay attention to it. That's when you got to keep staying focused and keep doing your job."

This is the first season the 76ers have been a factor in the playoff race since their last postseason appearance in 2012. 

From 2013-17, the Sixers didn't win more than 34 games in a season. Their 47 wins from 2013-16 were five fewer than they had this season alone (52). 

Embiid was a part of those low moments, missing each of his first two seasons due to an injured right foot after being drafted No. 3 overall in 2014. He finally made his NBA debut in the 2016-17 season, showing promise with 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, but it came to an abrupt end after 31 games with a torn meniscus in his left knee. 

This season was a breakout for Embiid and the 76ers. He was named to the All-Star team and led the team with 22.9 points and 11 rebounds per game. 

Philadelphia won a playoff series for the first time in six years after defeating the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.