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Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid to attack the post more this season

By Lucas Johnson

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 4: Joel Embiid #21 of Team Africa goes to the basket against Team World during the 2018 NBA Africa Game as part of the Basketball Without Borders Africa on August 4, 2018 at the Time Square Sun Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 4: Joel Embiid #21 of Team Africa goes to the basket against Team World during the 2018 NBA Africa Game as part of the Basketball Without Borders Africa on August 4, 2018 at the Time Square Sun Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid is a modern day center, but adding old school mentality to his game should be a positive move for the big man.

For arguably one of the top two centers in the NBA, it’s hard to imagine that Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid needs to add more to his game. Embiid was named to his first All-Star game, NBA All-Defense second team and All-NBA second team during his second season. However, its clear that Embiid’s not content with last season and has now apparently been adding a new aspect to his game.

Based on what Embiid said in the video clip above, Philadelphia fans should expect the big man to operate more in the post then the previous two seasons. Last season, only 29.3 percent of Embiid’s shots came within three feet of the basket. Of shots taken within that range, Embiid converted them at 52.7 percent. Fans should expect that shot rate to increase dramatically and that should help increase his 22.9 points per game average from last season.

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At Embiid’s massive frame of 250 lbs and standing at 7-feet tall, it shouldn’t be a physical problem attacking the post. In the clip shared by Pompey above, Embiid talked about working on his skills and handles down low, so that should help him convert a higher percentage of those shots as well.

While it might be a positive for Embiid’s game to attack the post, it may not be the best thing offensively for the team. With starting point guard Ben Simmons not picturing himself converting shots from downtown, it may cause spacing issues if both players are attacking the paint a lot this season. Hopefully, those issues will be minimal and can be fixed by head coach Brett Brown early in the season.

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Having Embiid dominant down low more this season should be exciting for Philadelphia 76ers fans, especially fans that are fond of traditional post play. While having Embiid attacking the paint more may cause some problems with spacing, it should be a welcomed addition to the Sixers offensive game plan. Embiid has the tools to become one of the best post scorers in the game and hopefully this season, he proves it.