Philadelphia 76ers superstar big man Joel Embiid is considered one of the league’s best players. Despite standing 7-feet and being a center, he does things with his handle and his ability to step out and shoot jumpers that guards can do.
During Philadelphia’s four-game win streak, Embiid is averaging 34.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. He is shooting 60.5% from the floor and 53.3% from deep on 3.8 attempts per game. Those are incredible numbers as he has thrown the Sixers on his back.
As Philadelphia prepares to visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, the star leader of the Sixers clearly has the respect of the Magic. Rookie Franz Wagner had high praise.
“He’s probably the best big in the league, offensively and defensively,” said Wagner. “I think he’s a really great two-way player. He can do anything on the court so it’s gonna be really hard to stop him. Obviously, that’s part of our game plan tonight to focus a lot on him.”
Magic rookie Franz Wagner called Joel Embiid “probably the best big man in the league” #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) January 5, 2022
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley was also in awe of what Embiid can do considering his size out on the floor.
“Just his versatility,” said Mosley. “What he’s able to do at his size and shooting the 3, post-ups, tough, and double teams, or single coverages, just reading the game, just his versatility is something that’s incredible. He’s a hard guard night in and night out.”
In Philadelphia’s win over the Magic on Nov. 29, Embiid was held to 16 points on 4-for-16 shooting with 13 rebounds and five assists. Orlando used Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba to bother him, and the Sixers needed Seth Curry to step up and close the game.
“Wendell did a great job on him last game, but, like I said, he’s a superstar so you just gotta try to do your best and Wendell always does that,” Wagner added. “We just gotta give him some help and, hopefully, we win the game.”
As Embiid and the Sixers prepare for this matchup on Wednesday, they are going to have to be able to make sure the big fella is ready for a combination of Carter Jr. and Bamba. The two will present challenges for him.
“It’s great that those guys take on the challenge,” Mosley stated. “Wendell did a great job in his minutes, Mo did a great job in his minutes, and the different styles of how you have to play him. One of our young men has to use his length, the other is using his physicality and his speed. We just talk about understanding the gifts that you have and how do you use those in order to stop what he’s trying to do out there.”
The Sixers and the Magic will tip off at 7 p.m. EST from Amway Center.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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