Joel Embiid Dario Saric Finally Playing Before Home Crowd

Facing the Washington Wizards at 7 PM at the Wells Fargo Center, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric will finally play in front of Philadelphia 76ers fans at home. This will be a special night

In their NBA debut, Joel Embiid scored six points on 33.3 percent shooting, pulled down 4 rebounds, and rejected two shots in 12:57 minutes of play. His international counterpart, Dario Saric, scored 10 points, passed off two assists, pulled down six rebounds, rejected one shot, and shot 66.7 percent from the floor and from beyond the arc.

In short, both were NBA rookies, but both delivered as hoped.

Now the pair is set to deliver for the home crowd tonight at 7:00 PM at the Wells Fargo Center.  If you think this will be just another preseason game, you can forget that notion right here, right now.

Imagine what Christmas morning would be like for children if they had to wait two years. Now, imagine that same Christmas morning where the gifts would double in volume and quality.

That’s close to the experience Philadelphia will have tonight as two long awaited players stand on the basketball court  in the Wells Fargo Center.  In a nutshell, it will be pandemonium.

Promising Debut

While we have had plenty of reason to be optimistic, it was finally founded in the performance on October 4, 2016, in the first preseason game against the rival Boston Celtics. Joel Embiid stands above other NBA players, and his presence forced the Celtics to double team him in the low post. With that shift, the defense was stretched thin, opening up shots for his teammates.

Meanwhile, Dario Saric did not hesitate to shoot if he had an open shot. Facing a Celtics defense collapsing on Embiid, he found that open shot often enough to impress on just his first showing.

However, it took more than just Embiid and Saric to win the game against the Celtics. The 76ers bench clearly outperformed and outclassed the bench of the Boston Celtics, eliminating a 16 point deficit and reaching an eight point lead before settling in to win by three, 92-89.

All in all, it was a promising debut, but it was laced with rustiness of rookies that must be cleaned up rather quickly.

Long Way Home

Joel Embiid was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers third in the 2014 NBA Draft on 26 June 2014. Dario Saric was drafted twelfth in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, but immediately traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers, along with draft pick considerations, for Elfrid Payton. At the time, Dario Saric was under a 2 + 1 contract with Turkish team Anadolu Efes. He finished his contract overseason after two years.

Now both are about to play before the fans who waited so long for their arrival.

But the team is not at full strength yet.  In fact, the list of injured continues to hover at four with the new hamstring injury of Nik Stauskas suffered in game one.  Joel Embiid will remain on minutes restrictions.

Will the injuries hurt players chances to make this team? It’s can’t help.

Lead, Follow, Or Get Out Of The Way

While players try to heal in time to make sufficient impact to remain on this roster, the core of the team has already begun to assert themselves. In fact, the injury to Ben Simmons is forcing both Embiid and Saric to step up.

"“I think because of Ben was injured this first period of the season, I think chemistry between me and Joel, we must working on that. I think it will be one of the main parts of the team.” – Dario Saric"

But it’s a lot to expect rookies to step up and lead this team. At some point, veterans must take up the yolk and help guide this team.

After a rough debut, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is a young player who needs a guiding hand. And to that point, there is none better in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey than Gerald Henderson, who has been working with the rookie so far.

Similarly, the front court looks to Elton Brand for mentorship. It has been Brand who has played peacemaker to Nerlens Noel‘s frustration over the team’s center situation. It’s also Brand who has been working with Richaun Holmes, whose play has improved greatly this season.

Ultimately, with so many young players, the success or failure of this team will rest in the hands of rookies.

What To Look For

The Philadelphia 76ers now have one under their belts. As such, there has been 48 hours to absorb and train for the team for the next outing. What can we expect as a result?

Better Offensive Rhythm

Joel Embiid began game one without an offensive rhythm. In fact, the entire team seemed to be struggling as the Celtics bolted to a 16 point lead in the first quarter.  The Washington Wizards should not be as stalwart on defense as the Celtics.  As such, you should look for the 76ers to come out with a much better offense.

Strong Showing Off Bench

Roster competition is hot and heavy for this roster, and with an exception of a handful of players, you can bet the bench will be equal to the previous games performance. Expect Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to settle down in game two and score a few times. Similarly, you can expect an extra effort from Robert Covington, whose two of seven shooting from beyond the perimeter left many disappointed.

Better Handles

The Philadelphia 76ers were a little sloppy with the ball, allowing 22 turnovers to only 16 turnovers from the Celtics. The team needs a dramatic improvement in game two of this early preseason.

Defense Remains Strong

Washington is a more difficult challenge to the 76ers defensively, as they are looking to even up their own preseason record – having lost to the Miami Heat 106-95. However, Joel Embiid is just getting warmed up, and his post presence on Philadelphia’s home court will be a man possessed.  You can also bet that Nerlens Noel will see plenty of minutes, and his intensity will be 100% as well.

Philadelphia fans expecting a shoot out at the Wells Fargo Center will leave the game wanting. But fans who enjoy good basketball will be wonderfully entertained.  The Philadelphia 76ers will rise to the challenge for their second preseason game.

Next: Ben Simmons is at Huge Disadvantage for ROY if He Doesn't Sit Out

Joel Embiid and Dario Saric will place the NBA on alert.