At times late in games, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid sometimes doesn't play as well as expected. Whether it be by tiredness or how other teams play him late in the game, Embiid isn't as impactful.
Sarah Todd of the Philly Enquirer asked Sixers head coach Brett Brown for an explanation. Brown said:
“At times there is some truth to that [the ball isn't getting to Joel] but at times he's been so dominant in first halves that people double team him and they get the ball out of his hands… He's an unselfish player and willing passer, it's the thing I respect the most about him. I think when you really read into his comments, how can we all not appreciate at times his self-deprecation, there's a level of humility when he owns stuff, either turnovers or doing better. But the fact that he's that competitive and that skilled that he wants the ball and he wants to do what he did in the first half in the second half, you can't always promise that with opposition and scouting reports at halftime. I think he's had 7 20-point games in the first half. So naturally, people make adjustments. Every time we can, we want to feature him.”
Brown broke down how teams play him differently in the second half. Often times he's doubled in the post, allowing for the Sixers shooters to get open and score the majority of the points in the second half. Embiid's “gravity” alone causes his team to be better, even when he's not putting up raw statistical production in the second half of games.
Joel Embiid has put up spectacular numbers this season for the Sixers. He's averaged 26.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.
The Sixers are 22-13 on the season and are sitting 4th in the NBA's Eastern Conference. They will play the Utah Jazz next at the Vivint Smart Home Arena this upcoming Thursday evening.
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