CAMDEN, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers will go as far as Joel Embiid takes them. It does not matter that the team added Paul George and locked up Tyrese Maxey. They will, obviously, help, but this comes down to the big fella. He has to be ready to fo when the playoffs come around.

Embiid dealt with a meniscus injury in his left knee and missed two months of the season which kept him hobbled into the playoffs. He has dealt with so many injuries throughout his career and the goal now is to be sure he is ready to go when the postseason comes around.

To be sure he's ready to go, Embiid dropped some serious weight.

"I think I lost about 25, 30 (pounds)," said Embiid. "I’ve still got a ways to go. Still want to lose more, but it’s a process. Daryl (Morey) would tell you this: As soon as we lost last year, I texted him and I was like, ‘We’ve got to do whatever it takes to make sure that, in the postseason, I’m healthy.’ This year, there’s no agenda — All-Star, All-NBA, there’s none of that. It’s whatever it takes to make sure that I get to that point and I’m ready to go."

The MVP race has been something at the forefront of Embiid's career recently along with Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic. That is no longer the focus for Philadelphia's superstar at this stage of his career. Jokic has a ring and a finals MVP. Embiid now has to match it and avoid the injuries that have plagued him in the past.

"For basically every single year of my career, I’ve been hurt in the playoffs," Embiid added. "I think that’s the goal. It’s all about doing whatever it takes to get there. Physically, I’m OK. I’m not where I want to be, and I know I’ve got their support and they all want the same thing. Until I’m at that point where they feel like I’m ready to go, I’m sure they’re going to hold me back. Like I said, the focus is on whatever it takes to get to that stage and be healthy. I believe, with the guys that we have and what I can bring to the table, we have a pretty good chance."

The Sixers will now head to The Bahamas for training camp beginning on Tuesday with Embiid spearheading the effort.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' Joel Embiid offers encouraging injury, weight loss update