2. Joel Embiid’s bully ball mentality
This summer marked Embiid’s first healthy offseason as an NBA player. That’s a tantalizing thought when you consider just how limited his practice schedule has been in recent seasons. He’s primed to take another leap.
Training with Drew Hanlen, Embiid focused on several things this summer, ranging from three-point shooting to handling double teams in the post. He also worked on his ‘bully ball’ mentality, something Hanlen stressed.
At 7-foot-2, roughly 280 pounds, Embiid is an unrivaled physical specimen. There aren’t many NBA players who can contain him one-on-one in the post, which is something Embiid hasn’t shied away from.
With that said, Embiid does have a tendency to settle for inefficient mid-range jumpers, rather than taking his man to the rim and looking for contact. By embracing his physicality, Embiid can become the most dominant interior presence since Shaq. He’s that gifted.
Embiid already has the footwork and finesse to outmaneuver opponents. Add in his ability to score through opponents, and defending him on the block becomes a near-impossible task. We saw that to the tune of 46 points against the Lakers last season.
With Embiid’s medical record in mind, he probably shouldn’t push things too much in a scrimmage. It will still be interesting to watch his approach as his third (active) season inches closer.