Joel Embiid and LeBron James have a solid relationship after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, it's even better and it could lead to an unforgettable season.
After the Philadelphia 76ers' scrimmage, people are ready for the season to start.
If the season were to start, there’s a good chance that we may see one of the best frontcourts in the NBA with LeBron James and Joel Embiid. These two have a bit of history, and it’s looking like they're in sync, and that's what the 76ers need to win fast and early. In fact, James had high praise for Embiid just for how fit he was during the scrimmage. He even emphasized that this version is the best he’s seen.
“He’s just so much healthier. He's been in [expletive] near everything that we’ve done," said James. “You saw how much he played tonight; it’s been great.”
Embiid was everywhere on that floor, and James was there for every bit of it. This unit is going to be a formidable powerhouse. James has always thrived when he has a big man to fall back on. When James won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis was in the best shape of his career and averaged 26 points and 9.3 rebounds.
Embiid averaged that last season and missed half of it. When James plays with elite frontcourt players like Embiid, they post high offensive ratings. Davis and James posted a 116 rating when they played together during their championship season.
Embiid was making defensive plays, stopping VJ Edgecombe from a dunk attempt and impeding a fast break attempt as well.
It’s that kind of play that could be a huge benefit for James. When James is looking to push the pace and Embiid with his health, he will be able to be right alongside him, and on top of that, Embiid may be the one who initiates the break with a defensive play. There’s going to be a heavy dose of lobs between these two, and it’s going to be a sight for sore eyes. What’s going to make this pairing so hard to stop is that they have no weaknesses.
If you take out injuries, Embiid is one of the most complete centers in the game. As far as James goes, well, we all know it’s hard to stop him, even when the team is down 20 points in the 4th quarter. Both of these all-stars have been in tough situations, but now that they are together, they can pick up the other when they’re having a bad night.
The scrimmage was a big help to see what possibilities there could be for these two. But, if history repeats itself like it usually does, this pairing could put up numbers like we’ve never seen before.
