The Philadelphia 76ers are in first place. How does each player grade individually?
The Sixers are through nineteen games, just more a quarter of the season. They sit at the top of the Eastern Conference and are 13-6 after a close victory over the Lakers, the Sixers’ toughest challengers yet.
Overall, I think Sixers fans are delighted with how players have performed so far this season. And for good reason. Here’s a review of each players’ performance this season. I’ve only included the ten players who’ve made up the biggest part of the rotation.
Sixers early season grades: Joel Embiid
The numbers already say so much about how fantastic the big fella’s season has been. He’s shooting career highs from the field, the line and from 3 to put up a career high in points. He’s been a titan on the defensive end and he’s been just as good on offense. The team is dismal in his absence, even when he’s just taking a breather during the game.
He’s creating a lot of open shots for shooters by passing out of doubles more effectively and decisively. His assist numbers don’t reflect this because the ball is often quickly swung around the perimeter to beat the defensive rotation and find the open man after Embiid’s initial pass. If Joel Embiid can stay healthy and remain consistent, he can expect to be top 3 in MVP voting without a doubt.