The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers 2017-18 season report cards

By Rusty Gorelick

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers eats before the game against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Joel Embiid

Season stats: 22.9 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.8 blocks, 48.3% FG, 30.8% 3PT, 76.9% FT

Grade: A

The Sixers’ first All-Star since 2012 led the team in scoring, rebounding, blocks, defensive rating, and free throw attempts. He also led the team in turnovers and fouls.

Embiid plays center, so it makes sense that he led the team in fouls. But as the team’s vocal leader, top scorer, and most popular player, he needs to do his part and take care of the rock. Additionally, he shot 40 percent or less from the field in four of his eight playoff games.

Alright, that’s enough Embiid slander. We’ll blame the playoff performance on the mask and say the turnovers are due to the fact that he’s only been playing basketball for less than a decade.

Aside from almost singlehandedly vindicating the Process, Embiid plays his heart out for the city, even though he rarely participates in full practices because of injury concerns. In terms of hustle stats, he contests 11.5 shots per game and contributes a solid three screen assists per game.

Although he only hit threes at just above a 30 percent clip, he has a smooth stroke and plenty of confidence in his jumper. The league knows his shots can fall, so they know that laying off of him is a big gamble when he’s on the perimeter, and that opens things up inside for guys like Simmons and Saric.

In just about every facet of the game, the Cameroonian giant makes a positive impact. With merely 94 regular season games under his belt, he has already revealed himself as arguably the best scoring center in the league and one of the Association’s most intimidating and effective interior defenders.

Next: Grading Bryan Colangelo, Part One

Embiid is the heartbeat of the team and one of the most popular figures in the city of Philadelphia, and for all that talk, he always backs it up on the court. He has potential to be the best center ever, and after his successful and mostly healthy season, the franchise and the city should feel wildly excited to watch him and the other young stars grow at the Wells Fargo Center.