‘Man of the people:’ Joel Embiid takes nighttime run on Philadelphia streets

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is making a strong case to become Philadelphia’s most beloved sports icon.

In a scene that could only mimic the legendary Rocky Balboa, a now-viral video shot by an unsuspecting Lyft driver Monday night showed the 7-foot NBA star partaking in a late-night run through the streets of Philadelphia.

Embiid, who is now known to have done his nighttime jog in back-to-back nights, was seen on video running home Monday night after playing tennis in Center City. Embiid’s tennis match action was also filmed by a Twitter user and has been shared across various social media platforms.

Embiid, who is still rehabbing his left knee after suffering a torn meniscus, did log his first half-court scrimmage on Friday. 76ers coach Brett Brown told Keith Pompey of The Inquirer on Monday that Embiid “looked good.”

There is still no official timetable for Embiid’s return, but the 23-year-old has to keep up with his conditioning somehow, right?

Embiid appeared to acknowledge the driver in the video by putting both his hands up — like Rocky — as he continued his run because “The Process” can’t stop for anyone.

76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters on Tuesday that Embiid’s run was “no marketing exercise” or some sort of “clandestine conspiracy theory.” He said all Embiid did was play tennis and go home.

“He declares himself to be a man of the people,” Brown said. “I think that is true. He’s proud of that and I think he lives it.”