Dominant, consistent, efficient: Joel Embiid will have the best season of his career

Joel Embiid was to revolutionize the NBA. The arrival of the new Hakeem Olajuwon, all things considered, of course. A giant of 2.16 meters with technique and footwork worthy of his elder at the low post, touch, power, agility and even a touch of three-point skill. A prototype. That of the perfect pivot, supposed to be the link between the basketball back to the basket and the modern fast game, focused on the three-point shooting.

Finally, a fantasy. Or a mirage. Embiid is a great player. One of the best in the league. But at 26 and after four full seasons (and two first blank years) with the pros, takeoff is still pending. He does not box in the same category as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard or Giannis Antetokounmpo, although he has the potential. He doesn’t really struggle in the title race either, even though the Philadelphia Sixers make it a goal every time.

The Cameroonian has not yet passed the second round. He may even have gone down a rank or two in the NBA pivot hierarchy. Nikola Jokic is now easily considered the best at his job. And yet… that status should come back to him. This is precisely what the legend Shaquille O’Neal reproached him with repeatedly: not constantly dominating his opponents, as he knew how to do. To “content to be good“without trying to”to be tall.“Finally aware of the problem, he confessed that Shaq”was probably right“in December 2019. To finally fall back into the same ways.

A few months later, the Sixers came out by the back door, eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. A failure. Even a humiliation for Joel Embiid. Paradoxically, this is perhaps exactly what he needed. Because he is revengeful. Ready to bring out the season of his life. “He’s a dominant player“, insists his new coach Doc Rivers.”The other teams are forced to take it in pairs.“

There is not a single other pivot in the NBA with the size of the guy. Not even Karl-Anthony Towns. He is a constant danger to the defenses when he has the ball below, close to the basket. The mix between his size, his size and his technique makes him almost impossible to stop in one-on-one. So the opposing coaches ask their players to overtake the Sixers star. This is precisely one of the axes of progression targeted by Rivers upon his arrival in Philly: to make Embiid a better passer in these situations. “This is one of the first topics we discussed with him“, says Rivers. After two weeks of competition, the evolution is already being felt. With another 4 assists for him last night, during the victory against the Hornets (118-101).

It’s not just the player who takes a turn. It was especially the Sixers who surrounded him better. Landed in Pennsylvania during the offseason, GM Daryl Morey immediately stood out by handing over the big contract to Al Horford while parting with Josh Richardson. Seth Curry and Danny Green have arrived in Philly. Decisions that bring a much better balance to the workforce! Finally space! Finally snipers capable of taking in from afar! And that changes absolutely everything. Tobias Harris can now play as a winger, a position that suits him much better in this league, and he’s excelling again (19 points, 52% on shots, 47% on three-pointers).

Above all, Embiid has gaping spaces below. The lines are more stretched, even with Ben Simmons not taking a shot from more than four yards. The racket is now entirely under the control of the native of Yaoundé. And that again comes back to this dilemma for the defense: “Joel is very hard to slow down. The opposing teams must make a choice. Accept the one-on-one or come to the aid, which frees our shooters. These are two good options for us“Says the coach enthusiastically. Sacred puzzle … Because behind, there are completely open angles for Green, Harris or Curry, all successful since the start of the season. Finally a virtuous circle for the Sixers. Embiid takes advantage of their presence and they profit from his.

The whole team, on the other hand, can thank him for the defensive work done. Without being as famous as Rudy Gobert, he is one of the best protectors in the championship circle. The control tower of the best NBA defense since the start of the season (by far: 99 points collected out of 100 possessions!). The driving force is him. There is no longer any doubt. Moreover, the Sixers lost only one game (118-94 against the Cavaliers), the one he did not play due to back pain. It testifies to his capital importance but also to the imperative need that he remains in good health so that his frankness shines. And this is precisely one of his weak points since the start of his career. His body is struggling to keep up.

This is possibly what can penalize him in the race for the MVP. Because yes, even if it is very, very early in the season, we will have to very slowly (really very slowly) think about it. He will probably not be elected at the end of the season but he can aspire to a place in the top-five. The one that should be his every season. In any case, he left to live the best year of his career. Less prolific but more efficient than ever. With 23 points at 52% on shots, over 12 rebounds, almost 80% on free throws, 1 interception, 1.7 blocks and 3 assists for the moment. And the Sixers who prance at the top of the NBA with six wins in seven games. Joel Embiid’s moment of glory may have finally arrived.