The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Five menu items from Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs before the game against the Miami Heat on February 11, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs before the game against the Miami Heat on February 11, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid /

Entree I: Better than 60 games and 27 minutes per game average

The first step to unleashing the full impact of Joel Embiid is to get his appearances and playing time up. Way up. But it doesn’t need to happen right out of the gates, nor it bunches. The team can plan to build Joel Embiid’s impact up to the play-offs. That means rotations, and the Philadelphia 76ers have the versatility to pull that off better than any team.

Last season, the team didn’t know what the team had in either of the two red-shirted rookies: Embiid or Dario Saric.  Now, the team has a pretty solid understanding that each player can be significant contributors to the success of the club.

Advantage for scheduling

Knowing that give the Sixers a distinct advantage.  Joel Embiid needn’t play 82 games to propel into the playoffs.  But he must double last season’s appearances at a minimum.

But the team can pre-plan rotations early enough in the year to keep Embiid fresh.  Back to backs should be the first scheduling item to investigate sitting Embiid, or sharply reducing his minutes. But long road trips would qualify as well.  The ultimate goal is to have Joel Embiid at his peak performance when playoff games begin. The Philadelphia 76ers have plenty of solid talent capable of holding down the fort on his nights off.