The Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been impressive as of late after a rough start to the regular season due to injuries and COVID protocols. He’s been so impressive, Christopher Kline of The Sixer Sense wrote about how Embiid has entered the MVP conversation, which I agree with.
It’s fair to say that Embiid is one of the most powerful big men in today’s NBA, but he’s also showing a lot of guard-like skills in his game this season. I’ve said this on multiple Sixer Sense Podcasts that his’ moving like a perimeter player.
However, one area that hasn’t been getting enough recognition is his passing ability. He’s quietly become one of the best passing big men in the league.
Sixers’ Embiid’s one of the best passing big men in the NBA.
To give some clarity both power forwards and centers’ will be included on this list. Players like LeBron James who has only started at the position for a handful of games won’t be included on this list either.
Per Basketball Reference, the only big men who have average more assists than Embiid this season have been, Draymond Green (7.6), Nikola Jokic (7.0), Giannis Antetokounmpo (5.9), Julius Randle (4.9), and Domantas Sabonis (4.5). Embiid comes in sixth on that list averaging 4.3 assists per game. He’s also averaging the least amount of turnovers among this group of players as well.
Outside of Jokic, the rest of the players on that list head of the list has split time at power forward and center this season. In terms of playmaking centers, if depending on your opinion of Sabonis, it can be argued that the Sixers’ big man is the second best playmaking center in the NBA.
This certainly helps Embiid’s case for joining the elite at the top of the MVP race and he also helps a Sixers team who are lacking in the playmaking area.