The Boston Celtics drew first blood in their first-round playoffs match-up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, winning 109-101. For Sixers star big man Joel Embiid, he believes that he needs to take a more significant role for the team moving forward in order to give Philly a fighting chance.
Embiid took a bit of a shot at head coach Brett Brown with his comments, noting how he believes he needs to get more touches on the offensive end.
“Obviously not enough [shots],” the Sixers star said, via ESPN's Brian Windhorst. “I've got to be more aggressive. Maybe we need to call some more plays but I don't know. That's another thing we've got to fix going into Game 2.”
JoJo did not take himself off the hook, though, and explained why he also thinks he should step up as his team's talisman.
“I've got to do more. I got one job to do, to carry us,” Joel Embiid furthered about the Sixers. “I'm going to need my teammates to help but I need to do more. I've got to take more shots, I've got to be more aggressive, I've got to help my teammates.”
Embiid finished the game with 26 points on an efficient 8-of-15 shooting, along with six rebounds and two assists. However, this is not exactly the stat-stuffing statline most expected from him, especially in the absence of fellow All-Star Ben Simmons.
The Sixers are the underdogs in this series, and their Game 1 loss certainly does nothing to help their cause. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, and Embiid and Co. will certainly want to get one back to better their chances against a tough-minded Celtics side.
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