The Philadelphia 76ers still need Joel Embiid. Let’s get that out of the way. Despite Tyrese Maxey emerging as an All-NBA caliber player early in the season and rookie star VJ Edgecombe being even better than advertised, the former Most Valuable Player is still plenty good enough to give the team some advantages they can’t get from just anyone else.
Aside from his first game where he had a rough outing, Embiid has played very well for the 76ers. He has averaged 22.5 points per game over the past few games despite playing just under 22 minutes per game. Obviously, his scoring prowess is still there, and opposing defenses still have to figure out how to slow down the superstar because he can’t be stopped completely.
However, scoring is the only thing in which he has distinguished himself so far. Embiid hasn’t given the team much elsewhereand given his current status, it’s likely that this will be the status quo for the team moving forward.
The 76ers have to accept that Joel Embiid can’t do the little things anymore
Embiid can no longer be relied on to provide a heavy dose of the little things the 76ers need, like rebounding. The 31-year-old just logged in five rebounds per game so far, easily the worst mark of his career, and even his per-36 minutes numbers reflect the same low.
With his jumping ability heavily compromised, it’s likely the seven-time All-Star will average close to that number as his time with the franchise progresses. The coaching staff will have to take that into account and make sure there is always someone who can get rebounds for the team when Embiid is on the floor.
Another area where Embiid struggles is deterring shots at the rim. It is also something that is due to his lack of vertical presence, and it is also no longer feasible for him to constantly make internal contact, especially when he is in tension above the ground.
Defense has been a struggle for the 76ers, despite their winning streak. They have the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league at this early point, while also being below average in opponent points in the paint per outing. Both perimeter and paint defense have been headaches thus far, and Embiid is no longer a player who can serve as an anchor in that area.
Going forward, the 76ers will have to embrace this streamlined version of Joel Embiid. He will always be a huge force in attack thanks to his innate skill and finesse, but it’s the other things that don’t always show up on the scoresheet where his injury condition is most evident.
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