When you think of Joel Embiid, you picture a dominant scoring big with a nose for defense. While the Philadelphia 76ers wouldn't turn down another MVP-level season from Embiid, their current roster shouldn't demand such a heavy points contribution. In fact, the team could benefit more if he becomes the Sixers' playmaking hub and improves his passing out of double-teams.
Embiid should embrace a more creative role
Over the course of his career, Joel Embiid has been an offensive machine. Despite his constant nagging injuries, the 32-year-old has been consistently tasked with being the franchise's leading scorer.
This has undoubtedly been an effective method for the Sixers. And why wouldn't it be? When you boast a player who is averaging 27.6 points per game throughout his career, you would be foolish to bestow your trust elsewhere.
However, things are different now in Philadelphia. With LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown all capable of scoring 20+ points a game, Embiid can relinquish a percentage of his offensive burden and focus on his all-around development. Scoring is important, but occupying the defender's attention and then finding a superstar teammate in acres of space could add a new dynamic to the 76ers' offense.
Before suffering a knee injury in 2023-24, Embiid was averaging a career-high 5.6 assists per game. An evolution that created the perfect opportunities for Maxey and Tobias Harris to devastate opponents from deep. With better teammates around Embiid, this tactic could pay dividends.
76ers don't have to put all of their chips on Embiid
Overreliance has been the Philadelphia 76ers' greatest flaw in recent times. The Sixers' former general manager, Daryl Morey, was hell-bent on linking Embiid up with a superstar teammate and a roster that complemented his attributes, but failed to construct team depth capable of lasting an entire regular season.
This lack of foresight created an impossible environment for Nick Nurse to manufacture any momentum with his players. When Embiid went down injured, Nurse had no choice but to abandon his entire blueprint and scramble for an answer. Season after season, the 76ers' head coach was left with square pegs in round holes, all because Morey couldn't build a versatile squad that didn't solely rely on a healthy Joel.
Now, under Mike Gansey's tutelage, things appear very different. While the 76ers are yet to find a capable Embiid understudy, they do have a roster capable of shouldering their star's offensive load. Philadelphia now has the luxury of sharing the scoring across the entire starting lineup, and even dipping into their bench options if necessary. This can only be positive for Embiid. Less responsibility should theoretically mean more rest.
If Joel Embiid can develop his playmaking this year, few opponents will be able to contain the Sixers' offense. With several scoring options on the team, Philadelphia can afford to utilize their talisman in a different manner. This doesn't mean they won't require Embiid's scoring to win a championship, but adding versatility to their blueprint will only enhance their chances of success.
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