Atlantic Notes: Embiid, Bennett, Johnson

It’s been nearly 18 months without an appearance in a game since the Sixers made Joel Embiid the No. 3 overall pick in 2014, but Brett Brown sees signs of progress in the center’s mental approach to his rehab from a lingering foot injury, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays.

“I just know what I see, just a committed, hopeful athlete,” Brown said. “He sees that he’s doing the right thing. He feels like he’s doing the right thing. He is doing the right thing. So I just see somebody that’s got the edge where he wants to get going again. I think mentally it’s night and day from talking to him this time in December last year.

Embiid has drawn criticism for alleged poor work habits and a contentious attitude, but it seems the Sixers aren’t too worried at this point. See more from the Atlantic:

• Anthony Bennett became the first former No. 1 overall pick to go on D-League assignment this weekend, and the idea for the brief stint was his, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said, according to Jessica Patton of the Toronto Sun. Bennett wanted to see some court time, and Casey is pleased that Bennett and others have approached the team about spending time with the new affiliate in Mississauga. Bennett is one of five Raptors to go on assignment this season, as our log shows.
• The talent-poor Nets are asking a lot from Joe Johnson, and the burden is wearing on the soon-to-be free agent, as Andy Vasquez of The Record examines. Johnson, a 15th-year veteran, called it the toughest season for him since his first or second year in the league, though he insisted that he’s not complaining. The 34-year-old is averaging his fewest points per game since his second NBA season.
• Kristaps Porzingis still lacks bulk, and while he insists he’s not a project and has proven that already this season, his benching for the stretch run Monday is a reminder that the Knicks still have some player development to do with this year’s No. 4 overall pick, observes Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.