The real NBA It is one of the most complete in terms of gameplay. Conquering and making a difference can no longer be limited to having a great physique or above average skills in one or more aspects. Now it is necessary to be as integrated and flexible as possible, while at the same time having a great ability to adapt to the environment. The game has become more complex over time, although from the outside it feels like a succession of individual actions without a link. Every angle, every setting and every approach is different from the lastwhich explains why in the era when more players know how to do more things, the more malleable prevail (Warriors and Celtics last year).
Joel Embiid probably it is, one of the most technically complete interiors in NBA history. Objectively, he’s a player who can shoot outside more or less reliably (33% career), who can hit the post with a different resource on each possession, and who is also an amazing defender. And yet, their peak in the Playoffs is still the Conference Semifinals, the second round. Their teams have systematically collapsed at the moment of truth, just when everything was working in their favor or they had better options.
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The synchronization of his injuries is a factor that should be mentioned for context, but they don’t tell the whole story. The thing about Embiid is that, as evidenced in this start to the 2022-2023 season, there are other factors that explain the devastation within Africa. A not-so-small detail that has always been there and despite being a finalist in the last two games for MVP, still needs to be resolved.
This aspect of the game is the main reason that prevented and currently prevents the 76ers star from being an unstoppable and unstoppable player in this league. And the detail is nothing but your reading on the postwhich is not so much about the resources it has, but how it executes them.
It’s time to analyze The possession, a section in which The Sporting News NBA Staff analyzes a specific action of a specific game of the season, revealing behind it a much greater meaning than meets the eye.
The possession 2022-2023: Zion Williamson
occupation
Joel Embiid’s Big But
In the last season Joel Embiid has occupied the 76th percentile in low suspension performance. However, in the last Playoffs that number dropped to 60 with 22% of his possessions resulting in turnovers (double compared to the Regular Season). A fact that the main teams have taken good note of in recent months in order to prepare for this course.
It is not surprising that in a startup where the 76 year olds have been measured in two of the best defenses in the league (Celtics and Bucks) the Cameroonian giant suffered so much to produce from his usual grounds. That explains why in those four games Embiid ranks in the 25th percentile in low post action, averaging 0.74 points per possession.
Aside from the fact that the reason given to justify his poor performance is plantar fasciitis in one of his feet, the video shows that a large part of his problems have not so much to do with injuries but with how he interprets the game. .
The Celtics, without Robert Williams, elected to play Noah Vonleh as a domestic substitute. A player who did not play in the NBA last season (he was in China) and whose last full season was in 2018-2019. The former No. 9 draft pick did an impressive job defensively thanks to the fact that the rest of his teammates executed an equally brilliant scheme.
Planseemingly simple, relied on attacking Embiid’s first two-on-one deck. In addition, the greens chose to deny him the essence, directing him to the center, where there were going to be more defenders.
This approach was a total success for Boston, as it affected the Cameroonian’s limitations in reacting once he had already put the ball on the ground, in addition to forcing him to operate in a very small space:
The next day, the Milwaukee Bucks opted for a very similar defensive bet, except that their team had several and more diverse weapons to do damage at Embiid’s position in the game.
That Joel Embiid targets double defences and aggressive No it is something young. Ever since the African confirmed that he was a virtuoso in the art of playing with his back to the hoop, teams have constantly sent players to stop him. These traps The purpose of the ball is to make it difficult for him to get comfortable and have to get rid of the ball or get him out of his usual spaces. The interior of the 76ers managed to escape these frameworks with good grades in the vast majority of cases, since the organization of these schemes was not too complicated and caused cracks.
The problem is that over time the best defenses have sharpened their focus and better established their spins in such a way that they have exposed the reality: Joel Embiid is not a passer to match his offensive talents.
And the most obvious proof was offered by Toronto Raptors In their last match at Playoffswhere they exposed the Cameroonian with an extremely aggressive strategy.
Whenever he conceded, there was an opponent from the Canadian team who was responsible for spoiling this play and, with a little luck, driving him into error:
When Joel Embiid has to act as a distributor, using his read of the game, he suffers, and a lot. And it is that although his intention when connecting with other colleagues in such situations is positive, he is not quick enough or efficient enough when it comes time to make the pass.
Here they intervene various aspects.
The first and most obvious is that the Sixers are a volume scorer, a scheme whose main objective is to produce points in any way. So what he thinks when he receives is perform the action to add as many, something he is incredibly good at. In this way, once the space that was defeated previously in his defender’s fixation he changes, fails to adjust, and is easier to make a mistake.
The second aspect has to do with perception of space. To get out of a two-on-one in the post, you need to know very well where each of your teammates and opponents are. So, the moment a defensive disadvantage situation arises, their own can punish it as they should. Seeing Embiid cross a ball from side to side with no clear destination has become more common about what you would like to see from someone with your talent.
However, it’s not all the giant’s fault. Philadelphia’s offensive system doesn’t leave much room for someone to escape from the wings. how are you distance leaves a lot to be desired. So thinking about possible cuts or off-ball moves that free up a passing lane for Embiid is difficult right now.
The ability to read and react is what makes the difference between Joel Embiid and other high-volume low-post players such as Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpowhich have proven to be just as effective in the Regular Phase as in the Playoffs.
Will Embiid or the 76ers be able to fix that lack in time for the race for a ring this season? Time is running out and this is a key year for the future of a franchise that hasn’t gotten off to the best possible start. And if that wasn’t enough, on the night of Wednesday 26 to Thursday 27 October, the Cameroonian will visit an opponent who will systematically expose his flaws: lNick Nurse’s Toronto Raptors.
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers: day by day, schedule, TV and online streaming
| Country | Day and time | TV | flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Wednesday, October 26, 6:30 p.m. (CDMX) | – | NBA League Pass |
| USA | Wednesday, October 26, 7:30 PM (ET) | – | NBA League Pass |
| Argentina | Wednesday, October 26, 8:30 p.m. | – | NBA League Pass |
| Spain | Thursday, October 27, 1:30 | – | NBA League Pass |
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the NBA or its organizations.
