Seltzer’s Notebook: Game Speed Coming Easier to Embiid

Embiid Weighs in on ConditioningIn terms of overall health, Joel Embiid didn't want his words to be confused Tuesday afternoon. “I'm 200-percent,” he said, after the Sixers finished up practice at their training complex in Camden, New Jersey.Going forward, Embiid realizes that the sturdiness of his right foot, twice operated on in the past two years, won't be the only factor that determines the impact he has (and time he spends) on the court. The rookie's body also needs to be able to handle the demands of live action. “As far as game shape wise, I'm not 100-percent,” said Embiid, offering a realistic status report. “I still get tired. In practice, we've got to work on that.”To do so, Embiid has made an effort to run hard at all times. Furthermore, he's been conscious of the length of the breaks he takes between practice drills, and, earlier this week, began to shorten them. When “tough stretches” of fatigue arise, Embiid keeps trudging on. He's already felt a pay-off to his approach. “It's starting to get easier, I'm starting to figure it out,” he said about playing at full-on game speed. “The game is becoming easy. It's a little bit physical, which I'm getting used to, all the big bodies. It's just starting to get easy for me.”Through six pre-season appearances, Embiid – averaging 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game – has shown flashes of his competitive side. Not only was this trait on display during physical in-game battles with the likes of Boston's Amir Jefferson, Washington's Marcin Gortat, Memphis' Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, and Detroit All-Star Andre Drummond, it has emerged in respect to Embiid's conditioning as well.”When I look out on the floor, I don't see him take plays off,” said Brown. “I think him really trying to push himself, I feel like he is on path to arrive on opening night in a really good place.” In each of the Sixers' two previous exhibition outings, Embiid's involvement has increased, with his playing time reaching a personal high of 19 minutes, 36 seconds this past Saturday versus Detroit. By next Wednesday's season-opening match-up with Oklahoma City, Embiid and the Sixers hope he'll be cleared to log anywhere from 20 to 24 minutes.”We always want more,” Brown said. “I think his weight is good, I think his attention to the recovery is an A-plus, and I think he is on track.”