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Another year is in the books. 2021 was a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. But now, all the focus is on making the most of 2022. This time of year, New Year's resolutions are customary. Some people like to set fitness goals, while others are more hobby-based, such as wanting to read more books.
With the start of the new year rapidly approaching, here are two resolutions for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022.
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New Year's Resolutions for Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers
Shoot more threes
It goes without saying why this is crucial for the Sixers. The three-point shot has become the focal point of NBA offenses. With a plethora of capable outside shooters on the roster, there is no reason why Philly's can't increase its rate of attempts from beyond the arc.
As it currently stands, the Sixers are near the bottom of the NBA in terms of three-point attempts per game. Only the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls shoot fewer threes on a nightly basis. A roster that includes Seth Curry, Georges Niang, Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz should not be among the league's worst when it comes to getting shots up from beyond the arc.
When the Sixers started the season off hot, their outside shooting was a major catalyst. Not only does it add another element to the offense, but it makes life much easier for Embiid on the interior. Having a steady barrage of shots from the perimeter opens the floor up for the All-Star center to do his damage around the rim.
Since taking over in the front office, Daryl Morey has done a fine job collecting pieces to help modernize the supporting cast around Embiid. With the little amount of threes they take each night, it's hard for the Sixers to compete against teams who really prioritize the long ball.
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Heading into 2022, being more willing to let it fly from deep is essential.
Take care of business when needed
The past month has been hard on the NBA as health and safety protocols have run rampant once again. Countless COVID-19 outbreaks have left rosters depleted and forced teams to play short-handed. One of those teams was the Sixers, who suffered a six-game losing streak after losing a third of their roster to protocols.
Now fully healthy again, the 76ers have a chance to get some wins back against undermanned opponents. Unfortunately, they've yet to take advantage so far. There have now been multiple instances where a short-handed squad was able to steal a victory from Philadelphia.
Moving forward, the Sixers cannot let these opportunities go to waste. They have let numerous chances slip away after approaching matchups too casually. These are the type of games they will look back on at the end of the year and wish they could have back.
Playing down to opponents has always been a bad habit for the Sixers and continues to rear its ugly head. Taking care of business against depleted opponents is a chance for them to work their way back up the standings, and they cannot afford to let it go to waste.
