PJ Tucker Explains Why He Called Out Joel Embiid

PJ Tucker had to motivate Joel Embiid to ensure he could do what was needed to help the 76ers tie up their series against the Celtics at 2-2.

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Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid is the beating heart of the Philadelphia 76ers, as the team will only go as far in the playoffs as he can lead them as their best player. He and James Harden both showed up to help the 76ers win Game 4 and ties the series against Boston at 2-2.

PJ Tucker revealed that he had to give Embiid an impassioned pep talk to help him find his aggression in Game 4.

“Nobody can guard Jo one on one, there’s no way. I’m sorry, it’s not any disrespect to Al or anybody else, but I’ve guarded him for a lot of years, and when he’s aggressive and assertive, it’s impossible, and I saw him two plays in a row not do that. And we can’t have that. We can’t have that. Not with the season on the line, we can’t have that.”

Embiid ended the game with 34 points and 13 rebounds in an incredible showing, but James Harden outshone him with 42 points and the game-winning bucket to clinch the win in OT. This was the best case for the 76ers, as they head back to the TD Garden in Boston for Game 5.


Can The 76ers Win This Series?

It is obvious that the 76ers are the underdogs in this series given the strength of the Celtics roster and their consistency throughout the season. Philly have found weak points in the way the Celtics play and have pounced on it for both their wins. Picking up two more wins will be extremely challenging but the 76ers have shown they can do it.

Joel Embiid is the best player on the floor in the series, even better than Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. If James Harden doesn’t keep disappearing, Embiid needs to take over the rest of the series and take advantage of a hurt Robert Williams to try and win the series. If Embiid stays locked in, they can do it. 

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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