Joel Embiid has not been himself of late and the Philadelphia 76ers big man doesn't feel completely comfortable with the way he's been utilized of late.
“I haven’t been myself lately,” Joel Embiid told Keith Pompey of Philly.com. “I think it’s mainly because of the way I’ve been used, which is I’m being used as a spacer, I guess, a stretch five, which I’m only shooting [29] percent” from three-point range.”
This quote has received a lot of attention and many are trying to turn this into Embiid being frustrated with the Jimmy Butler trade. That's not the case whatsoever. Embiid and Butler just need to spend more time on the court together to build chemistry. Chemistry doesn't happen overnight and it will take some time before Brett Brown figures out the best way to utilize his star players.
Although Embiid is struggling to find his rhythm with his new teammate, the Sixers are rolling right now. The Sixers are 9-3 in games with Butler in the lineup and they have catapulted themselves up to second place in the Eastern Conference.
Once they figure out how to play together, Philadelphia could be a scary lineup to contend with. Of course, Embiid's recent struggles have him frustrated. But this shouldn't be construed as a major problem. Most teams undergoing a major change on the roster need time to figure out how all the pieces fit.
Embiid doesn't love how he's being used lately, but to turn this into a major issue in Philly's locker room is irresponsible. Give it time to work. There's too much talent in Philly for Embiid to continue playing poorly.
Follow Us
Subscribe