Brett Brown: Embiid 'on track' to play in preseason for Sixers

On Zach Lowe's podcast, "The Lowe Post," Sixers head coach Brett Brown confirmed that center Joel Embiid is on track to make his professional debut in the preseason. When asked by Lowe if Embiid is ready to play in the preseason, Brown responded, "Yes he is." Brown also added a tidbit on Embiid's recent progression during the interview.

I just left my third consecutive workout with Joel 45 minutes ago, about 10 minutes before you and I got on the phone. He's just so on track; he's on track in his head, he's on track physically. I do hear what you say, "dunking on a little coach ain't getting it done anymore." I do agree with that, but I will tell you that behind closed doors, physically, mentally, recent scans, medically, everything is pointing in the right direction. I think the thing I remind myself, and mostly him, is there has to be a high degree of patience that he has first with himself. He's doing good Zach, we're all excited to see him play in an NBA game.

If Embiid does suit up for Philadelphia prior to the regular season, it will be his first competitive game since March 1, 2014 while at Kansas University. Brown mentioned Embiid's relatively limited experience, only playing two years in high school and "70 percent" of his freshman season at Kansas, saying that "we have to be mindful of him." The context from Brown was that he'll head with caution, as Embiid's fragility clashes with his brilliancy on the court.

Embiid's relegation to warmup dunks and workout spectacles have brought interest to his inevitable debut, but the 7'2" big man has also helped out his progression with a positive mindset.

Brown acknowledging that Embiid's "on track in his head" and "on track physically" is an unequivocally positive narrative, considering the 22-year-old rookie is a monumental part of the Sixers' future. Two seasons of riding the pine have led to this for Embiid. He's evidently priming himself to make a serious impact and Brett Brown's comfortable in his development, enough to put him in the rotation in two months.