Written by: Justin DiVirgillio
Outside of the first couple weeks or so where he was not playing up to par effort-wise, Joel Embiid is having another incredible season. Performing at an MVP level yet again with his averages of 33.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game in 43 games played as of this writing. His scoring is still among the top scorers in the NBA and Embiid has improved upon his scoring repertoire believe it or not.
Embiid has somehow reached a new level as a scorer from 16 feet and in towards the painted area. The Sixers love to isolate Embiid around the elbow on either side of the floor. It is visible that this is Joel Embiid’s best season so far in his career but I had to find out why that was. Besides watching his spectacular offensive performances, what exactly improved?
Embiid’s improvement in finishing shots inside of eight feet is the key factor in his scoring average rising to a career-high of 33.4, 2.8 more than his 2021-22 mark of 30.6 points. This season, the perennial All-Star center is making 65.6 percent on 8.9 shot attempts within 8 feet. Both the percentage and the shot attempts are career-highs for Embiid. This has been the biggest benefit of Embiid’s pairing with James Harden. The numbers and the tape back up a critical development to the success of Embiid and the Sixers, his ability to pummel the paint. Without grifting for fouls, Embiid needs to continue to leverage his ability to get high-quality shots at the rim.
The patented mid-range of Embiid has gotten better as well as the fact he’s shooting a career-high 49.6 percent on 5.7 attempts from 8-16 feet. Embiid’s mid-range numbers going up parlays into his increased feel, patience, and anticipation for double teams bettering his ability to be a playmaker. The improvements are useful and are great tools to have on offense when the playoffs roll around as well as his playoff defense.
Speaking of defense, I can’t talk about Joel Embiid’s season without mentioning his defense. Embiid is the centerpiece of the Sixers’ offense and the gazelle-like anchoring shot-deterring force of the Sixers’ defense. Embiid is leading the Sixers to the NBA’s third-best defense as they are allowing 110.5 points per game. The guy is as good as it gets with only a few minor complaints.
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