Joel Embiid is considered by many as one of the best centres in the NBA. This season, he was dropping MVP-like numbers, but an injury to his knee led to him getting sidelined for nearly 30 games. According to the new rules, a player has to play 65 games to be considered for the NBA awards. Embiid’s failure to reach this threshold meant that he would not be considered a contender for the MVP trophy.
The Philly centre averaged 34.7 PPG and 11.0 RPG in the 39 appearances he made during the regular season. He looked dominant on both ends and with him on the court, the 76ers were looking solid in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid has been playing hurt in the playoffs, but this has not affected his numbers as he put up 29 and 34 points in Games 1 and 2 respectively. However, both games resulted in losses for Philly and have put the now-former MVP under a lot of pressure.
Joel Embiid has not had a successful playoff campaign
Joel Embiid has been in the NBA for ten years, but he has not led the Philadelphia 76ers to even a Conference Finals appearance so far. The team have come close on several occasions, but they always fall short when the lights are bright. Last season seemed like the perfect chance for Philly to end their misery as they were able to take the second-round series against the Boston Celtics to seven games. However, the team crumbled under pressure and failed to step up in the crucial game at home, which led to them losing the game.
The team had the likes of James Harden, Joel Embiid and PJ Tucker, who were all used to playing in the playoffs. But they were not able to do anything as Jayson Tatum dropped a massive 51-point performance to take the Celtics to the Conference Finals. Joel Embiid struggled throughout the game as he only managed to score 15 points on 27.8% shooting from the field.
This season, the 76ers started their season with a lot of controversy surrounding them. James Harden demanded a trade request as he was unhappy with General Manager Daryl Morey. The team shipped him out and gave the point guard responsibilities to youngster Tyrese Maxey. The former Kentucky player has stepped up in his new role and his presence has helped them be competitive even without Joel Embiid on the court.
Joel Embiid needs to figure out a way to win against the New York Knicks
Despite Maxey stepping up and Embiid playing well, the Philadelphia 76ers have not found a way to stop the New York Knicks’ physical playing style. Philly will play the next two games at home and this might help them as the hostile New York crowd has been at full strength in the last two games.
However, there is no guarantee as to what happens if the series goes into a Game 7. The 76ers have not been good in pressure situations and with the kind of team they have it is difficult to predict who is going to drag them over the line if Joel Embiid and Maxey have bad games.
The next few games are going to be crucial for Embiid in his career as a 76er. He has expressed his desire to win a championship several times and if the 76ers fail to win again, the seven-time All-Star might have a decision to make.
