The Sixer Sense
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Drew Hanlen is smoothing the rough edges of Joel Embiid’s skill set

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers’ star center has been working with skills guru Drew Hanlen this summer.

Joel Embiid established himself as the best center in the NBA last season. At 7-foot-2, 280 pounds, he has shades of legitimate guard skills. He’s also far from perfect — struggling with turnovers while experiencing a noticeable dip in efficiency from three-point range in year two.

Averaging 3.2 assists per game, Embiid also averaged 3.7 turnovers. His turnover percentage ranked in the 28th percentile among centers, according to Cleaning The Glass. His inability to consistently handle double teams was problematic considering how often he drew them.

On top of his turnover woes, Embiid shot 30.8 percent from deep — a 5.9 percent drop from his rookie season. That ranked in the 18th percentile among bigs. While not an important part of his game, shooting could be the key to unlocking that next, tantalizing level of production.

Luckily for Philadelphia 76ers fans, Embiid is working on those very issues with renowned skills guru Drew Hanlen. The same man in charge of Markelle Fultz‘s jumper could be taking Embiid’s game to the next level.

In a recent interview with FS1, Hanlen detailed the specifics of his workout plans with Embiid this summer. In the process, he detailed just about every viable critique of the big man’s game and potential solutions.

Hanlen is throwing Embiid into a variety of double team situations, preparing him for what he’ll encounter next season. He has also made some minor mechanical tweaks to his three-point shot, cleaning up the release and ideally making him a more reliable catch-and-shoot threat.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of what Hanlen said, though, was the effort to change Embiid’s approach. To make him approach the game with more of a “bully ball” mentality.

As Hanlen noted, Embiid can take over games physically. At 7-foot-2, his frame makes him virtually unstoppable on the block. The fact that he can step out, create off the dribble and space the floor only increases the difficulty of defending him.

Embiid put up 46 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and seven blocks against the Lakers in his best game of the season. He took bully ball to the extreme in that game, turning Julius Randle into the living embodiment of barbecue chicken.

Many have called for Embiid to use his physicality more often; absorbing contract, forcing his way to the rim and making things happen down low. That’s evidently something Hanlen and Co. are trying to unlock.

Embiid did mention that he’s gunning for the MVP award next season.

Next. 5 reasons the Sixers will win the East. dark

Already a transcendent talent, Embiid and Hanlen are working on the minutia — the small improvements that will make him more efficient while minimizing costly mistakes. They’re smoothing the rough edges of a budding masterpiece.