Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has done it all on the floor. Not only is he scoring at a high clip, but he is also doing other things to ensure the team succeeds.
For example, he had seven assists in Saturday’s 141-121 win over the Indiana Pacers along with 31 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. That performance was after he had 38 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in a win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
“Oh, it’s awesome,” coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “It really is. … He is also dominating the game on the other end. He is making the right passes and including his teammates. He is not forcing anything. It is all coming to him out of the flow — organically, naturally. Then defensively, he has just been dominant, blocking shots, rebounding. He has been really nice.”
It’s obvious that Embiid is as locked in as he’s ever been. Not only is he scoring so easily, but he’s also getting his teammates involved and making sure they get the shots they need to succeed. The playmaking he showed during this past road trip was impressive.
“Joel, at times, was our point guard,” Rivers added after the win over the Pacers. “He just kind of let them come, moved the ball, he had six assists or whatever he had, but he probably had 15 hockey assists. Where because of what they were trying to do led to the basket and that was just terrific.”
Considering Philadelphia didn’t have James Harden on Saturday, it needed somebody to step up and provide that playmaking aspect. Embiid did so.
With 12 games remaining before the playoffs, the Sixers will need Embiid to continue to take his game to another level and be at his best for when the games matter the most.
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