Joel Embiid‘s numbers are down in the major categories and the Sixers center feels that must change in order for the team to get rolling, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Embiid, who has missed four games during the Sixers’ 8-5 start, is averaging 22.9 PPG, 11.4 RPG and 1.4 BPG. He averaged 27.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG and 1.9 BPG last season.“I need to do more,” Embiid said. “I felt like I haven’t done enough. So that’s what I think I need to do.”
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- The role of Nets second-year shooting guard Dzanan Musa has expanded with Caris LeVert sidelined by a thumb injury, Brian Lewis of the New York Post relays. Musa has averaged 9.0 PPG in 21.0 MPG over the last four games. “We need his scoring on that second unit now, with no Caris,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “You can’t just have Spencer (Dinwiddie) out there taking every possession.” We’re going to need Musa to play well.”
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes the FIBA World Cup helped the Celtics get off to a fast start, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe writes. Marcus Smart, Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown all played for Team USA. “You could tell [Team USA] was a head start for them,” Kerr said. “You could tell over the summer that those guys would click, and they absolutely have.”
- Small, quick guards have lit up the Knicks lately, Howie Kussoy of the New York Post notes. Charlotte’s Devonte’ Graham, Chicago’s Coby White and Cleveland’s Collin Sexton have all enjoyed big games against them, forcing head coach David Fizdale to consider going smaller in his backcourt. “The battle that we are fighting is the speed guard who can shoot, those little guards that can get anywhere on the floor that can shoot the ball from the moon,” Fizdale said. “Those guys have been giving us headaches.”
Knicks have a quickness problem? Gosh.
Jaylen Brown is making me look stupid and im loving it. He may fall back to earth a little as the season wears on. But as long as heywards out Brown should be more or less what you see now. Could even boost his ppg with maybe his fg% and 3p% slightly dipping, of course with his athleticism he could easily improve upon his hot start as well. Tatum could be better tho, but tough to complain with this team right now
The 76ers just aren’t they good. The last time they even had a pulse was 1983
Ever hear of a guy named Allen Iverson?
To be fair, the Celtics have also had what is considered the “easiest” schedule so far…but Marcus Smart has been really good
I was thinking that about Embiid last night, but when I looked at his numbers, he is arguably better in some areas. He just hasnt taken as many shots or played enough minutes. Their issues are at the FT line, and not getting enough from their young, versatile depth. I also think they need to figure out who of Tobias or Al comes off the bench, but that was obvious in the offseason. They have enough to figure it out. Simmons also has to be better offensively
What depth? 76er bench pieces are inferior to the Knicks. And that’s the short price.
There’s only so much 2 decades of tanking and poor drafts can compensate for.