76ers star Joel Embiid is as close to unguardable as any big player can be. This season especially, his offensive game has been at another level and it has put him squarely in the lead for MVP.
So when Draymond Green said that Nikola Jokic was the toughest player in the league to guard, Embiid took it personally — and made sure to play like it in Philly’s latest matchup against the Warriors on Friday.
“He said, ‘You know why I played like that tonight? You said Joker was the hardest person to guard in the league,” said Draymond after the game on what Embiid told him. “I [Joel] took that personal.’”
Joel Embiid had 46 points against Warriors tonight.
Draymond Green: “He said, ‘You know why I played like that tonight? You said Joker was the hardest person to guard in the league. I took that personal.’” pic.twitter.com/Rd8a2eXTyo
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 25, 2023
Draymond and the Warriors did come away with a win, but Embiid did his part for the Sixers with a 46-point, 9-rebound performance.
While it wasn’t enough to get the win tonight, the 76ers have been playing great all season long and Embiid is the reason they even have a chance to compete for a title this spring.
Can The 76ers Make A Deep Playoff Run?
With Embiid, Philly will always have a chance to compete with the top teams. But, of course, the addition of James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris rounds out a solid and capable core of scorers, ball handlers, and ultra competitors.
Put all that together, and it’s no wonder why some have them favored to come out of the East.
“I think they got a good shot. This is probably the best shot that I’ve seen in recent years,” said Julius Erving. “But this team, they seem to be very resilient. They are definitely dynamic in terms of having a blend of weapons. Got our big guy, the top scorer in the league. Got Maxey, who’s a dynamo. Harden, a former MVP, on any given night can be the dominant player on the floor no matter who they’re playing against. Then the role guys. Tobias does what he’s supposed to do. I like watching them…I just like that there’s a chemistry there and there’s an undeniable desire to want to win.”
There are so many variables at play, so it’s impossible to know how this season will shake out for the Sixers. But no matter what the future has in store, you can count on Joel to give his all and deliver an excellent performance.
When he’s healthy, he always shows up to play his best and he’s been long overdue for an injury-free playoff run.
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