Best record in the league right now, the Sixers can thank Joel Embiid, and his level worthy of an MVP contender. His performances in any case inspired Doc Rivers, who recently compared him to two big legends of the NBA rackets.
He is the best pivot in the league right now.
The words are signed Mark Jackson, and effectively summarize the level displayed by Joel Embiid at the start of the season. Annoyed at not having seen his last exercise rewarded, the pivot of the Sixers seems to take his revenge on the floors, to the delight of his frankness.
And if his averages (24.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists) are not as breathtaking as in the past, it is above all his efficiency (52.5% shooting, 45.8% at 3 points) that impresses. The fact that his team sits at the top of the NBA reinforces the good impression he leaves, and which allows him to be among favorites for the MVP depending on the league.
A victim of his talent in recent years from the bench of the Clippers, Doc Rivers can now savor his prowess as a coach of Philly. Obviously asked about his case at a press conference, the technician used his player’s liabilities to find two flattering comparison titles for his star.
Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid: “Kevin Garnett was a four. I played with Patrick Ewing. I would combine those two together and make a Joel in some cases because he has a little bit of both of those.”
– Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 7, 2021
Kevin Garnett was playing at post 4. I played with Patrick Ewing. In a way, I would combine them to get Joel, because he’s a bit of a mix of the two.
Member of the Knicks from 1992 to 1994, the Doc relished in another way the exploits of Patrick Ewing in painting. He was then able to rely on the talent of Kevin Garnett as a Boston coach, and get the first ring of his life thanks to him. Enough to show that he holds Embiid in very high respect to bring him closer to these two old acquaintances.
Problem: the technician may have to do without the services of the Cameroonian during the next meetings. Possible contact case of Seth Curry, the latter is part of the 76ers’ long list of potentially unavailable players because of the league’s health protocol. The loss would then be immense for the leaders of the global ranking.
Amazed by the level of his new leader, Doc Rivers does not go with the back of the spoon when comparing Joel Embiid historically. In any case, he shows all his admiration for him through this.
