The Philadelphia 76ers are enjoying a new and improved Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers is enjoying a new and improved Joel Embiid

One of the main reasons the Philadelphia 76ers are sitting atop the Eastern Conference right now is because of the much-improved play of Joel Embiid. New general manager Daryl Morey has done an outstanding job surrounding him and Ben Simmons with talented shooters who are capable of spacing the floor.

The offseason additions of Seth Curry and Danny Green have really helped as they have knocked down 3’s and open jumpers making opponents pay the price for choosing to double team Embiid in the low post. Embiid’s true potential has been unlocked and unleashed due to the coaching, guidance, and strategic genius of head coach Doc Rivers who has gotten Embiid to thrive like never before.

Take Embiid’s 45-point performance against the Miami Heat, coming up huge in the victory. Even though the Heat was without their star players Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Embiid was without Ben Simmons as he put the Sixers on his back and carried them to the win as he scored 11 of his 45 points in overtime and clutch situations displaying the growth in his game.

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It’s safe to say that Embiid is having his most productive season so far averaging 26.6 points on 54.4 field goal percentage, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, all career highs. Embiid is the heart and soul of this Sixers team and they will go as far as he leads them if he continues playing at this MVP-caliber level of play.

Let’s also take into consideration that the Sixers are 0-2 without Embiid in the lineup which is a testament to just how important he is to this team’s success. It’s also imperative that he stays healthy and is in the lineup for the majority of the Sixers game and allow the players Morey acquired to help ease the burden off him to help keep him refreshed and energized when the team needs him the most.

The impact he has had has been that of epic proportions as his effect on the team should not go unnoticed. The most notable improvement Embiid has made to his game is his willingness to pass the ball. It’s not because Embiid is a ball-hogging big man but he has had to learn to trust his teammates and the shooters surrounding him which is a much better option than him forcing up shots over double teams as we have often seen him do in the past.

This is a recipe for success and luxury due to the incredible amount of attention Embiid receives in the low post as this also helps open the floor for the entire team. Another improvement he has made has been having patience as he is allowing the game to come to him instead of forcing the issue and realizing that he doesn’t have to try and win the game by himself. He is turning the ball over less because of it and doesn’t force his way to the basket picking up unnecessary offensive fouls like he used to.

Embiid is taking advantage of the spacing on the floor that Curry, Green, and Tobias Harris create as no one has succeeded in stopping him in isolation. He has the force of a freight train going to the basket and is similar to a bull in a china shop in the low post with his strength, agility, and physicality.

Embiid is also astute at protecting the rim and makes opponents think twice before testing him in the paint. Simmons is an All-NBA Defensive performer and is known for his lockdown defense, but Embiid appears to have the bigger impact o the defensive end when blocking shots and cutting off opponents driving lane as he is 8th in the league in averaging 1.6 blocks per game as he disrupts any traffic on the inside with his length and reach.

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This is the level of play we have been expecting to see from Embiid when he first entered the league. We always knew he was good but knew he had the talent to be great. After so many years of flashing promise and potential, could this be the year Embiid leads the Sixers to an NBA Finals appearance? If he continues posting these fantastic numbers and if he remains consistent, the Sixers will be a legitimate threat to win a title.