Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been one of the top players in the league due to his size and his skill. He is averaging 11.4 free throws per game and there is nobody in the league who has yet to really find an answer for him just yet.
There has been one move that the big fella has gotten down pat and that is the rip-through move. This move is when he faces up a defender and when they try to reach in, he swings through their arms to draw contact which then becomes a foul. It is a move that he has perfected throughout the years and it is something that he has been using to his advantage.
“I watch a lot of basketball, NBA basketball especially, every single night, and I always wonder why other guys are not able to do it or why they don’t take advantage of it because that’s such an easy way to get to the free-throw line,” Embiid explained. “I’ve come to an understanding that it’s actually harder than people think. The young guys have been asking me about it and I try how to explain, but it’s hard to do it.”
There have been a few stars who have also perfected this move. Guys such as Kevin Durant and James Harden come to mind as they have used their high IQ and their ability to time the move just right to get to the free-throw line.
“You watch guys like, I think KD was one of the first to start it,” Embiid continued. “Harden kind of took it to the next level when it comes to doing that off the dribble which is even harder to do. That’s way tougher than actually being in a triple-threat position and executing it. Those two guys, they really started it. Like I said, it’s not as easy as it looks.”
In order to really execute this move and be able to draw as many fouls as Embiid does, one has to be able to understand the game. There also has to be an understanding of how to time it and make sure the rip move comes at just the right time in order to get the call.
“I think you got to have a high basketball IQ,” Embiid continued. “You got to understand the game, you got to understand situations. I don’t do it all the time just to do it. If we’re in the bonus and your hand is right there, you better know that I’m gonna go for that.”
The move is also making the big fella tough to defend. The Sixers have been the beneficiary of it all, but due to Embiid perfecting this move and due to him being able to score every way possible, this makes it even tougher to defend him.
“It also makes me, unguardable, because if you’re gonna give me space, I’m just gonna rise up and shoot it,” he finished. “Then, if you don’t come close to me, I have so many ways I can get by you or get a shot off. So it makes it tough and that’s one of the things that also makes me unguardable.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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