76ers Top 5 Most Memorable Plays – (#2) Joel Embiid Block
TOTH to ESPN for the quote below.
"“It’s huge when your best player is willing to sacrifice a knee to the groin or elbow to the face and make a winning play. That doesn’t happen everywhere, so Joel [Embiid] is special for making the winning play.” Georges Niang on Joel Embiid"
Way back in November, even in the midst of the Ben Simmons drama, the Philadelphia 76ers were still in a decent spot in the standings. At 5-2, the team was learning to play without Simmons, but they were even more short-handed that night without Tobias Harris and Danny Green. With Joel Embiid though, Philly always had a shot to win.
The play that ranks second on the memorable plays list involves Joel Embiid and his defensive greatness. After Lonzo Ball hit a 3-pointer to pull within a basket late in the fourth quarter, it was up to Embiid to protect the paint. He stepped up big time, and it was as dramatic as it gets in the closing seconds of a game.
As DeMar DeRozan dribbled at the top of the key, Zach LaVine rushed up to set a screen. DeRozan left early though, taking advantage of his matchup with the slower Georges Niang. With seemingly a clear path, DeRozan rose up and prepared to dunk with one hand. Embiid had other ideas.
The Sixers’ big man met his opponent at the rim and blocked the dunk with his right hand. It was a crucial play because the officials initially called a foul. After the review, the call was overturned, and the Sixers won the game.
Embiid locked eyes with DeRozan during the review challenge and bragged, “all ball.” He sarcastically nodded his head and grinned as the Sixers went to 6-2 on the season.