76ers' Joel Embiid Initially 'Hated' Idea of Restarting NBA Season Amid Pandemic

While Joel Embiid will participate in the NBA's restart in Orlando, he isn't a fan of the idea.

"I hated the idea. I feel like with everything that's been going on, it's unfortunate with what's going on. ... All I wanna do is stay safe and stay healthy, keep the people around me safe," Embiid told reporters Tuesday.

Embiid said he isn't confident in the NBA's ability to keep players in the so-called bubble or the players' willingness to adhere to strict social distancing policies.

"I'm not a big fan of the idea. But then again, I'm going to do my job. I'm not going to let the city down. ... I don't like the idea," Embiid told reporters. "I thought about (not going to Orlando). But then again, I wouldn't want to let my teammates down. ... You don't want to be in a situation where you put your life at risk."

The Sixers will enter the NBA's seeding games with a 39-26 record and in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. They are within striking distance of the Nos. 4 and 5 spots, but their incentive to move up is arguably less in Orlando than it would have been during a typical regular season. Without home-court advantage to worry about, the Sixers' road to a potential conference finals berth would be easier with a Boston-Toronto combo in the first two rounds rather than having to play first-place Milwaukee in Round 2.

Despite his hesitation in traveling to Orlando, Embiid says he plans on being dominant once the ball is tipped. 

"I'm Joel Embiid. I want the ball. I want to be put in a position to help us reach the ultimate goal—win a championship," he told reporters.

Embiid was averaging 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game when the season was postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.