PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- The 76ers are getting closer to their first scheduled preseason game next Tuesday. All-Star Joel Embiid sounds determined to bounce back from a disappointing performance in the Disney World bubble last summer.
Embiid is entering his fifth season with the Sixers and his seventh overall in the NBA. He explained he was eager to get back after getting swept by the Boston Celtics at the end of last season.
"Last year was painful," he said.
It's not the first time Sixers fans have heard something like this, but the 26-year-old says he is feeling good about his conditioning.
He said hopefully the team avoids injuries this time around so they can build some chemistry together. Physically, Embiid explained, he feels great.
He says he has learned how to take care of his body "by just having my own chef, nutritionist, my own PT, massage therapist."
Despite the unusual timing of the offseason, Embiid said he wants to get the 2020-21 season started.
"We had a bad year this year, so I just wanted to get back to playing and try to accomplish what I wanna accomplish, which is to win a championship," he said.
Embiid did not receive any awards or individual recognition last season, and he said he should always be in the running for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, but accolades like those come with team success.
"Winning cures everything. It makes everybody happy. It's gonna help me when it comes to awards and stuff."
Embiid said having NBA games is important for the fans as well.
"Obviously the pandemic has affected a lot of lives and a lot of people, so I think sports means a lot when it comes to everybody in the world."
The Sixers' first preseason game is Tuesday against the Boston Celtics, and their season opener is Dec. 23 against the Washington Wizards -- both at Wells Fargo Center.
