Joel Embiid: Loss vs. Celtics 'Sucks,' Have to Learn, Come Back Even Better

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid missed a close-range shot that would have tied Wednesday's Game 5 against the Boston Celtics in the waning seconds, but he was already looking toward next season after the series-clinching 114-112 loss. 

"Gotta give them a lot of respect," Embiid said, per Jared Weiss of The Athletic. "They play well together. They made some tough shots throughout the series...It sucks, but you gotta learn from it and come back next year even better."

Embiid also recognized the Sixers have plenty of room for improvement.

"Me and Ben have a lot of room to grow," he said, per Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated. " ... Looking at KD and Westbrook, what they did their first season together, I think they won 28 games . ... We've got a bright future. ... [Simmons] came up to me, showed me his hands, and he was like 'There's going to be a lot of rings on these.'"

A cynic would note Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant never won a ring together on the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the point still stands. It takes time in the NBA for young talent to mesh and grow, and this postseason run was a learning opportunity for the 76ers.

They may add a marquee free agent to the group in pursuit of those rings, and they also could have the chance to draft another talented playmaker in June. They own the rights to the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick if doesn't fall between Nos. 2-5.

Adding more talent to the 76ers alongside Embiid, Simmons and Dario Saric will set up additional showdowns with the Celtics as the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward grow together.

"For the next decade, we're going to have a lot of fun battles," Embiid said of the impending matchups with Boston, per Brian Robb of BostonSportsJournal.com.

The future is bright in Philadelphia, and 76ers fans can take solace in knowing their 24-year-old All-Star big man is already pointing to the success he will enjoy with Simmons and the chance at redemption down the line against the Celtics.