Injuries have kept former lottery pick Joel Embiid from suiting up for the Philadelphia 76ers until this season. Now healthy, the Sixers have taken a slow-and-steady approach to Embiid’s minutes as the preseason rolls on with hopes that the center will be as up to speed as possible once the 2016-17 season takes flight in two weeks. Coach Brett Brown has been nothing but impressed by Embiid’s play and, according to Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com, has big plans for his big man:
Brett Brown already had envisioned Joel Embiid as the “crown jewel” of the Sixers’ defense. With his towering 7-foot-2 frame, Brown saw him as a force protecting the basket.
The same goes on the other end, too.
“I think that he is going to be the focal point both offensively and defensively,” Brown said Thursday.
Going into the preseason, point-forward Ben Simmons seemed the key to the Sixers’ offense given his versatility to score at multiple positions. But the No. 1 pick suffered an acute Jones fracture at the end of training camp and is out for an undetermined amount of time. His absence leaves glaring holes for Brown to fill.
Even when Simmons was on the court, though, Brown saw glimpses early on of Embiid’s knack with the ball. He had been wowing people during his rehab with videos of his three-point shooting, and also yearned for the ball in the post. Embiid’s skillset reminded Brown of a future Hall of Famer he coached on the Spurs’ staff.
“You see him and he just has ‘it,’” Brown said. “Years ago, you saw it with [Tim] Duncan. I see it with him in regards to a real target offensively and a real sort of centerpiece defensively.”
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Taking on that role is a shift in mindset for Embiid, whose field goal attempts at Kansas maxed out at nine (three times). He has shot 2 for 6 from the field in both preseason games, capped at 12 minutes a night. Embiid is averaging 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in his first two contests.
“When I was in college I didn’t have that type of mentality,” Embiid said. “I don’t think I’ve ever reached more than 10 shots during a game. I think it’s different now and Coach wants me to do that. I’ve kind of proven in practice I can do that. It’s going to take time. I’m an unselfish player, so I just want to play as a team. I’ve got to make sure I let the game come to me.”
Embiid is working to establish his flow in the offense. He found himself rushing shots and settling for too many jumpers. Embiid is also trying to get into a rhythm in the four-minute clumps he is being played.
His offensive development will be a work in progress, and the Sixers believe it is worth the wait.
“We all know it’s going to take time,” Brown said. “We all get it. Nobody can rush what is unfair. We’re going to expect growth. There’s going to be some stumbling blocks. But I believe that his potential, his upside, his desire to be great is real. I think that his talent, if we keep him nice and healthy, has the chance to allow me to do what I just said.”
