“The Embiid story is the craziest NBA s— ever,” said …

Joel Embiid is too big, too decorated, to be called the little guy. But his sudden re-emergence with the 76ers after two virtually lost seasons not only was a rock to the Boston Celtics ’ collective temple, it has the rest of the NBA scratching its head in mild trepidation of what’s to come. “The Embiid story is the craziest NBA s— ever,” said one high-ranking official from a team still alive, who was granted anonymity to discuss the playoffs with the candor they deserve .