The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a good start this season, and a lot of that has to do with the sheer star power they have. The team has repeatedly found itself in some pretty big holes for the most part, but they were able to win in different ways thanks to their impressive ability to close out games strongly. Interestingly, Joel Embiid has taken on a major shift on the offensive end, unlocking a new version of himself as a more featured playmaker for his squad.
As of writing, Embiid has averaged 5.7 assists per outing, easily the highest mark in his career. He has not shot the ball well to start the season –– which is actually typical of him –– but he is doing more with less as he aims to strike a balance between asserting himself on offense and blending in as a connective piece. Currently, the former MVP is averaging the fewest shot attempts per game in his career when scaled per 36 minutes.
Joel Embiid is going through an offensive transformation for the 76ers
Right now, only LeBron James averages more dimes than Embiid, which is a pretty remarkable feat for a player who was not expected to carry a heavy playmaking role for the team and is surrounded by other high-caliber secondary table-setters in Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown. After all, many expected him to be a defensive anchor and primarily a scorer given the amount of capable initiators on this squad.
Nick Nurse has defaulted to Embiid playing at the top of the key and in the high post, functioning as an offensive hub where he can see the floor more. Given his elite one-on-one scoring, he still draws double teams regularly, which has allowed him to be a release valve for finding open cutters and spot-up shooters.
When James was sidelined against the Bucks, the 76ers had Embiid taking on the main playmaking duties. The result was a triple-double in which he racked up 10 dimes while recording 28 points and 11 rebounds.
His efficiency as a scorer is not at his usual level just yet, but Embiid remains a crafty and dominant scorer who can carry the team on that end. However, the 76ers do not need him to function as such, which is why the offense looks more fluid and operates more smoothly with Embiid blending in, going to his spots, and reading through the motions as a passing hub.
The 76ers actually have a suboptimal offensive rating at this early juncture, but with Joel Embiid unlocking a more adaptable version of himself as a playmaker, their offense is bound to be in the upper echelon as the season goes on. Hopefully, he remains healthy enough to continuously showcase his offensive transformation.
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