2018-19 NBA Preview: Areas of improvement for every Sixers youngster

#2 Joel Embiid - Better conditioning and fitness

Oklahoma City Thunder v Philadelphia 76ers

It is no exaggeration when people say that Embiid could be a perennial MVP candidate in this league. The Cameroonian #3 overall pick has yet to play one full season in good health, but he's already demonstrated his ability to do many tough things on a basketball court at an elite level.

Averaging 22.9 points, 11 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game on a lower minutes-per game average than Clint Capela (30.3 minutes per game), Embiid put the Eastern Conference on notice last season as the Sixers made their first playoffs in 5 seasons and managed to reach the Conference Semifinals.

The most prominent of Embiid's vices on a basketball court are his relatively low levels of endurance - although he's fit enough for the role he has in short spurts, he does not have the endurance to sustain a high level of play for extended playoff minutes.

This resulted in a few occasions in their second round series when Embiid was borderline unplayable, as Horford dominated their matchup on both sides of the court.

On the plus side, this is Embiid's first full offseason with no injury troubles (so far), so he's had time to improve that aspect of his otherwise dominant game. Hopefully he comes out of the gate this season in better shape than last.