The silent battle Joel Embiid fought to return from injury

Half of an hour after his return performance against the Thunder, Joel Embiid proved his importance to the Sixers with greater ease than he had on the court. Seated at his locker a few stalls down from Buddy Hield, Embiid was already in assessment mode.
Embiid was unhappy, he told Hield, that the veteran sharpshooter had passed up shot opportunities that the big man believed were there for him to take. It may be the most consistent message he has provided to his running mates, ranging from non-shooters to snipers like Hield, and while Hield offered his perspective, the two ultimately came to an understanding. If the pressure is going to come to the big man, the other four guys on the floor ...