Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid wants to be more assertive in Orlando

By Christopher Kline | Jul 8, 2020

Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers’ big man wants to get back to being himself.

This season has been a strange one for Joel Embiid. The three-time All-Star’s numbers are down across the board. Despite steadfast efficiency, Embiid has seen a decrease in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game. He has looked passive and bashful, shying away from his reputation as a fun-loving, ball-dominant aggressor.

Embiid recognizes his shortcomings this season, and with the return of NBA basketball fast approaching, he has vowed to ramp up his assertiveness.

"“For me, it’s just about being myself. I need to be more assertive. This year, there was a lot of times I was not into the offense and I was just going through the motion and all that stuff. With the playoffs coming in, I need to be more assertive, demand the ball, and do what I do.”"

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This isn’t the first time Embiid has promised to control a larger share of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ offense. He has echoed this sentiment all season, yet his focus has been on preservation, not outright dominance — at least it appears that way from the outside looking in. But if his intention has been to save himself for the final stretch, his moment has arrived. The Sixers need Embiid at his best in Orlando.

Three months away from basketball could be a blessing in disguise. Injuries have often hampered Embiid late in seasons, so extended time to recuperate is, hopefully, a positive. Brett Brown praised Embiid’s work ethic over the hiatus, and expects Embiid back in the best shape of his career.

If Embiid returns to the court healthy and aggressive, the Sixers only stand to benefit. For all the talk about Ben Simmons’ assertiveness — which is certainly vital to the Sixers’ competitive status — it is Embiid who will determine Philadelphia’s ability to compete. A fully realized Embiid makes the Sixers genuine title contenders.

"“I know what I’m capable of. I know what my teammates think of me. I know I’m capable of carrying the team. It’s all about me being assertive. If I feel like I’m not getting the ball, I just got to talk to them and do what I have to do, but at the end of the day, I should never be in a position to complain about not getting the ball just because of who I am. I believe I can carry the team and I believe by being able to do that, I just need to take matters into my own hands.”"

It’s abundantly clear that Embiid views himself as the Sixers’ No. 1 option — as he should. At his best, Embiid is a top-10 player in basketball, and his mindset each night should reflect that. He should command the ball, he should pound mismatches in the post, and he should spearhead the offense in crucial moments.

Embiid is not without flaws. He’s still turnover prone — often a second late with his decision-making. But even so, he’s too gifted a scorer to not domineer the lion’s share of Philadelphia’s possessions. He should be “the guy” late in games. He should be the Sixers’ go-to option when things get hairy. He’s one of the few players in the NBA who can rightfully claim superstar status.

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Now, he seems prepared to act on it.