76ers Star Joel Embiid Has Developed a Troubling Habit

The Philadelphia 76ers have added all these new pieces in hopes of doing more than getting booted out of the first round. Now the biggest problem is their longest-tenured player, Joel Embiid, has not been playing like the former MVP that we’ve become accustomed to seeing. 

Now, some of it can be attributed to all the injuries he’s accumulated over the years, but that doesn’t mean that you have to get away from what made you who you are. Everyone knows how Embiid plays and that he has a jump shot that is hard to guard, but lately he’s been making it easy for his opponents. 

Through the first month, Embiid has only taken 23 percent of his shots near the basket. That just makes zero sense for a center. The number increases significantly the further away from the basket he gets. Midrange is his favorite space to try and get his shot off, as he utilizes it on 52 percent of his shots. Overall, Embiid takes 57.3 percent of his shots away from the basket. What is really aggravating is how much it really impacts his game. 

While it’s still an adjustment, the offense operates relatively well when he is on the floor. It just makes it harder when he’s away from the basket because not only is he heightening the chance of a difficult shot, he’s taking away the opportunity for an offensive rebound. Being placed into a pick-and-roll situation is one thing, but moving outside of the paint to make it easier for your opponent is mind-boggling.

This is one area that could really be affecting the team, and it’s just flying under the radar because the team is winning. If Embiid is facing a player who has a slow first step, that would be the time to take a shot away from the basket because they would be too slow on the closeout. 

This team is rolling right now, and it could be a bit easier if Embiid was closer to the rim. Besides, Embiid isn’t having the best year shooting the three-ball. Embiid is converting less than 30 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. Just another reason to limit the amount of shots he takes outside the square. Yes, it’s better if he takes those shots, but not if it’s hurting the team more than it’s helping.

Everyone wants Embiid to return to his MVP form, but that may not be possible. So he’ll have to adapt, especially with this new roster surrounding him.