As arguably the best low post player in the NBA, Joel Embiid has to be defended somehow.
Teams generally will send double teams at Embiid to try and thwart his rhythm in the post. Embiid isn’t a skilled passer, so double teams typically are an effective way of containing him down low.
But on Monday, Embiid was not stymied by the San Antonio Spurs’ pressure.
Embiid had 27 points, five assists and four turnovers in the Philadelphia 76ers’ win against the Spurs. Brett Brown praised Embiid’s performance, crediting him for knowing where different passes could be made in the offense.
“I thought Joel was great tonight with the exception of that one late where it was a one-handed pass cross court, it got stolen,” Brown said to media following the game. “I thought Joel was great, not good. He was great tonight and we really tried to make him a focal point, and they either had to double team him or he pretty much had his way most times.”
The Sixers led 99-87 heading into the fourth quarter, and the Spurs had a four-point lead with 1:41 left in the game. The game had been close throughout the second half, and Embiid wanted to make sure he was the hub of Philly’s offense.
“I just felt like the game was too close, and it first started on defense and offensively, just making sure the offense runs through me, “Embiid said. “Especially, because they were doubling every single possession. Whether it was scoring the ball or passing out of it, we all did a good job. It wasn’t just me, my teammates found the right spots, I made the right pass, and they were knocking down shots.”
Embiid being a serviceable passer in important situations could end up being a difference between a win or loss. According to NBA.com stats, Embiid leads the league in post ups a game (9.9), and he scores the most points on them at 7.6 a game. But he also turns the ball often on post ups, and he is tied for first in the league in that category (0.7).
The Sixers will look to go 2-1 in the Orlando bubble Wednesday, when they’ll play the Washington Wizards at 4 p.m. ET.
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