The Sixer Sense
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To Max or Not to Max: Should the 76ers max Joel Embiid?

By Matt Litzenberg

Nov 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

 Pro  #1 of Maxing Joel Embiid — His Playing Style

The pros of maxing Joel Embiid are that Embiid is really good. In fact, I personally believe when healthy, Embiid is the best center in the league. His post moves rival Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin McHale. His three point shooting will stretch the floor for Ben Simmons to drive. His defense turned the Sixers into a top 5 defense.

Embiid is an evolutionary Hakeem Olajuwon. He is a guard in a big man’s body. He makes others better and briefly turned the 76ers into a playoff team. There has been no player like Embiid in the history of the NBA. That is a fact.

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Last season, Embiid averaged 20.2 points per game with 7.8 Rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in TWENTY FIVE MINUTES A GAME. Per 36, Embiid’s stats would have been 28.7 points per game with 11 rebounds and an amazing 3.5 blocks. These stats prove what a great player Joel Embiid is and will be.

Embiid is also a very efficient player. Embiid shot 46% from the field, 78% from the line and 36% from three point land. Despite having a high usage rate, Embiid was still efficient as a rookie. With time, his shooting percentages will continue to increase while his turnovers and fouls will decrease.

Ex 1: My Experience Watching Joel Embiid

Over winter break, I saw Joel Embiid play against the Brooklyn Nets. When Embiid first came out of the tunnel, the word whoa came out of my mouth. I have seen many great players play at the Wells Fargo Center, from Carmelo Anthony to Kevin Durant. Only one other player has made me say that besides Embiid. That man is LeBron James.

In person, Embiid is huge. He looks like David Robinson took Captain America’s Super- Soldier Serum. At 7-2, weighing around 275 pounds, Embiid made Brook Lopez look like TJ McConnell. Despite his appearance, Embiid moved liked a guard throughout the game. Embiid easily blocked shots throughout the game. It seemed like Embiid was in a perfect position throughout the game to make an impact. Embiid was basically the anti-Jahlil Okafor in this sense. Every drive I knew that Embiid would alter the shot in some way to prevent a Nets basket. There are only a few players that can accomplish that with total confidence.

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On the offensive end, Embiid was running a clinic. The Nets foolishly gave him space and Embiid hit one dribble jump shots from all over the court. When not given easy jump shots, Embiid was able to post up and score easy baskets. Embiid was even able to spot up and make a few threes during the game.

During that game, I could not stop watching the game when Embiid was on the floor and neither could everyone else in The Center. He was that good of a player. I know this because when Embiid dove into the crowd to get a loose ball, the crowd went silent. We were worried that something horrible had happened to our star center. Luckily, Embiid was fine and gave us this Instagram post.