The Sixer Sense
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Six Sixers Things I Like and Don’t Like

By Mike O'connor

Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) along with forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) and guard T.J. McConnell (1) and forward Robert Covington (33) talk during a break in action against the Miami Heat in the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) along with forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) and guard T.J. McConnell (1) and forward Robert Covington (33) talk during a break in action against the Miami Heat in the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today, I’ll be taking a page out of the great Zach Lowe and his weekly “10 things I like and don’t like.” Here, I’ll dissect three things I like and three that I don’t. Let’s begin:

1. Joel Embiid, bigger than everyone

I’ve long held that Embiid’s two most valuable assets are his 3-point shot and simply being the biggest man on the floor.

Embiid is all of 7-2 and 250 pounds, and the most physically imposing NBA star since Shaquille O’Neal. What’s most terrifying is that he doesn’t even know how to harness it just yet.

Embiid’s progression is extremely atypical. Embiid’s college highlights are a tantalizing compilation of ball fakes, spin moves, and half-hooks. After ascending to the NBA, Embiid has morphed into a physically commanding behemoth capable of bullying the bullies.

Embiid’s college to NBA transition is the antithesis of the most players’ adjustments. He traded less ballerina for more bruiser.

This play is just ridiculous. This is a shot that a very select group of players have ever been capable of doing. It’s the Wilt Chamberlain “I’m bigger than you” shot. He shoots right handed, over his right shoulder. His body is perpendicular to the basket. Marcin Gortat is 6-10, by the way.

Just imagine when he learns how to play basketball.

2. The Jahlil Okafor-Joel Embiid Experiment

This just might be the basketball equivalent of wearing a striped sweater with plaid pants. Let’s start with some quick stats here.

Yikes. Sure, you could quickly label Jahlil Okafor as the antagonist here. But it’s worth noting that lineups with only Okafor are more effective defensively than lineups with both.

In lineups with both big men, opponents are shooting 48 percent from three (albeit on 25 attempts) compared to 35 percent on the season overall. The slightest mishap in rotations makes them susceptible to a 3-point barrage. To mitigate that risk, the Sixers have tried to experiment with these lineups during a time when they face several consecutive teams with traditional power forwards.

Luckily, it does seem that this experiment was a planned endeavor and that the experiment will be winding down soon. Just keep your eyes covered for the next four or five games.