While defense is a significant part of the evaluation process when analyzing potential draftees, Joel Embiid’s presence allows the Philadelphia 76ers to mask some potential flaws.
Defense is half the game. It’s a statement that is theoretically true and, in practice, reasonably applied. You have to stop opponents in order win, a notion that’s exemplified by teams like the Houston Rockets — offensive juggernauts who flamed out against superior defensive units come playoff time. That significance applies to the NBA Draft process as well. Teams will value players who show promise defensively over those who don’t, and that can drastically sway teams in one direction over another.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers, however, may have fewer concerns.
Brett Brown’s focus has always been on the defensive side of the ball. In a process-driven rebuild with little in regards to offensive talent, his Sixers teams have relied on scrappy, hard-nosed defense to overcome an overt lack of prowess on the other end. That trend continued last season, though, even amidst the Joel Embiid revolution, as the Sixers proved to be one of the league’s more effective defensive units — and one of the more mediocre offensive teams — when the Cameroonian was on the floor.
That was somewhat due to stylistic preferences, but more so a factor of how Joel Embiid’s impact is felt. At 7-2 with a virtually unequaled set of physical tools, Embiid’s production is generated by the raw energy he puts into his game, something that manifests most often on the defensive end of the floor. He was among the top three in blocked shots per game during his time on the floor this season, finishing with 2.5 per contest despite playing under a heavy minutes restriction — abnormal proficiency underneath the rim.
Embiid’s defensive production, in turn, translates to how they approach this year’s draft, as it gives them more flexibility than other teams when making their selection.
In short form, Embiid’s presence alone makes Philadelphia’s defense respectable. They’re able to funnel drives in his direction while his shot blocking provides a deterrent for players driving down the lane. That not only provides a buffer for guards and wings on the perimeter — allowing them to press their man more often — but it inherently lowers the other team’s efficiency around the basket, forcing them to alter their game plan and coaxing them into shots they aren’t as comfortable taking.
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Embiid’s mobility also allows him to cover more ground that your typical five man, giving him the ability to switch onto the perimeter, stay with bigs off the bounce and recover at a higher rate than many of his piers. That as well gives Brett Brown’s squad an advantage.
And it’s that advantage that could, in some ways, factor into their draft decision. With a number of potential candidates available with the third overall pick (Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox, Lonzo Ball, etc.), the Sixers will be factoring a plethora of attributes into their decision, both in regards to offensive fit and defensive production. Jackson and Fox aren’t great offensive matches, but could be towards the top of Philadelphia’s draft board as it currently stands.
They’re two of the best defensive products available.
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Embiid, however, gives them a chance to take a different route, as they can go for players who may struggle in areas defensively without sacrificing a significant amount of defensive success as a unit. They can go for a Dennis Smith or a Malik Monk and still find ways to hide them systematically, rather than being overtly gashed at what may be their weakest point.
JoJo masks some deficiencies, and that’s an asset few teams benefit from.