Philadelphia 76ers: 5 most important players in Celtics series

2. Joel Embiid

Another player who has been visible and vocal, in many aspects of the season, is Joel Embiid. He has given multiple quotes about the disappointment from last year’s loss to the Toronto Raptors. He has been on record expressing dissatisfaction with the loss of former teammates Jimmy Butler and J.J. Redick. He has even professed an affinity for prolonging his Sixers tenure next to Ben Simmons.

After all of the podcasts, interviews, and endorsement ads, Joel Embiid’s time for action over speech starts now.

How sweet would it be for Embiid to be the leading force behind a Sixers triumph over the Celtics in the playoffs? If he dominates a smaller Celtics frontline (except for Tacko Fall), like he did against other teams in the seeding games, Embiid will wear a smile wider than Matisse Thybulle’s wingspan. For this to happen, Embiid must punish Enes Kanter and Daniel Theis down low. Should they give him room to face up, he can pull up and shoot his soft-touch jumper. If he pump fakes, we have seen the three-time All-Star drive to the lane and finish with power.

On the defensive end, Embiid must make his presence felt at the rim. Surely, blossoming stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will test the Sixers’ big man. Should Embiid establish the paint as his domain and rule it like the beast we have seen him at times, his share of blocks and rebounds could be the difference between a Sixers series win or a quick trip home from Orlando.