The Philadelphia 76ers have had to play a different style in the 2021-22 season than in the previous years as they work through the absence of Ben Simmons.
While the team’s offensive execution has left much to be desired at times, it has been able to lean on Joel Embiid on a regular basis. He delivered again in the 115-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. He had 38 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. It was another terrific performance for the big fella in a season full of them.
“First of all, it was great that we got the win especially bouncing back from blowing that lead the other night against the Clippers,” said Embiid. “I’ve always believed that especially with the progress that I’ve made offensively the last two or three years, being a complete player, I believe that I could be one of the greatest scorers in the league right now.”
Embiid had one of his better passing games and he did a terrific job making sure Philadelphia was set in the offense. He has been talking to his teammates more often and has taken games into his hands. He has been given more freedom to do some of the stuff Philadelphia needs with Simmons not there.
“It’s always been there, but this year, there’s more freedom to be able to whether it’s bringing the ball up and pushing up in transition,” Embiid explained. “I got more freedom to do that this year. In the previous year, we had someone that was so good in transition that you had to get the ball to him so he can make plays attack or making plays and he was so good at it. His absence obviously puts a hole in that category. That’s why I decided to kind of take my game to another level when it comes to that.”
While Embiid is obviously referring to Simmons, he understands he has to do more for this team right now in the absence of the 25-year-old three-time All-Star.
“I still got a long way to go,” Embiid finished. “There’s so much that I can add to my game whether it’s playing off pick-and-rolls and a bunch of other stuff that I can add to my game, but yeah, I think it’s always been there.”
For the Sixers to have the success they expect, they will need Embiid to continue to play this way and continue to add to his game.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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