Philadelphia scouts question Sixers’ ceiling without injured Joel Embiid
sixers-face-questions-without-joel-embiid
PHILADELPHIA — Rival evaluators say the Philadelphia 76ers cannot contend in the Eastern Conference unless center Joel Embiid returns to full strength, according to comments gathered by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
Embiid has been out for more than two weeks with soreness in his right knee, leaving the club with just one traditional big man in veteran Andre Drummond and forcing a small-ball look that opponents have targeted.
Defense slips without the MVP
“They’re not good enough defensively without him,” an Eastern Conference scout told ESPN, adding that Embiid’s absence has opened the lane for opposing offenses.
Even when the reigning MVP has played, coaches have noticed reduced mobility. One East assistant coach said teams now attack Embiid whenever he steps outside the paint, describing his movement as “basically running from one free-throw line to the other.” Those observations include a dip in rebounding, another sign that the 30-year-old is not moving as freely as before.
Offense still leans on Embiid’s gravity
Philadelphia continues to design actions around Embiid to support young guards Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and rookie Jared McCain. Dribble-handoff sets remain effective because Embiid’s presence draws multiple defenders, but coaches are uncertain how much the center can shoulder after years of left-knee issues and the current right-knee flare-up.
Pace a growing concern
The same scout noted that Embiid “was having trouble keeping up with the pace when he was healthy, let alone now.” Philadelphia has therefore built an offensive system that can survive stretches without its star, aware that availability is never guaranteed.
The Sixers maintain confidence Embiid will regain his conditioning once he returns, but until that happens, league observers remain skeptical of their ability to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
Source: Hoops Wire
