Bum Adebayo wrote:It is important to note that there is something different this season though.
The main problem in Embiid's game before this season has been over reliance on getting to the line, and we all know in regular season this is much easier thanks to Mickey Mouse defensive rules.
While it may seem that this is still the case, there is a huge difference, and that is eFG%. Embiid is simply miles ahead in terms of eficiency this season when you remove Free Throws from the equation.
.508
.514
.517
.512
.583
What remains to be seen is if this is due to small sample size or the improvement is real, but this is one of the stats that demonstrates greatness the most. it doesn't rely on Mickey Mouse rules.
But this is why I said the other day that Embiid's development is already a success, I was waiting for real improvement and this is clearly it.
To me Embiid's increased efficiency is a combination of a handful of things:
1) Embiid's Improvement - He's been aggressive, he's shooting better from all over (post, midrange and threes), he's not as turnover prone, he's in shape and moving better...I think his attitude/mentality has changed too. You can see it in his eyes now...he knows he's the baddest player on the court and he acts like it. He is willing the Sixers to victory and just taking over games.
2) Roster Construction - Danny Green and Seth Curry are infinitely better for this team than Richardson/Horford. Embiid is playing pick your poison with the opponents. If opponents double Embiid, Embiid will kick it out and eventually through ball movement a good shot opportunity is the result. If opponents don't double, then Embiid will go to work and score or get to the free throw line. Embiid couldn't play this way last season because Richardson and Horford didn't have the same gravity as Green and Curry.
3) Coaching - I'm sure we'll find warts with Doc Rivers eventually (probably after first playoff loss), but Rivers has been so much better than Brett Brown. He's putting Embiid and the whole team in a much better place to succeed with his schemes and plays than previously. IMO, it is still honeymoon stage, but Doc has been pushing all the right buttons. Before injuries and covid took effect, the beginning of the season was such beautiful basketball by the Sixers. Granted it was against mostly a weak schedule, but aesthetically it was some of the best ball the Sixers have played in a long, long time. I wonder how much of it is Rivers or is it Joerger. Either way it doesn't matter right now because it is working.
The Sixers still haven't been really tested this season. Wins against Miami and Boston were against depleted teams. Let's see what happens when the Sixers play some tough competition at full strength for both teams. If Embiid is still playing like MVP at that point, we should all be happy.
