Who would have thought that Embiid, who likes to recruit superstars on social platforms, has now become the league's top star. Without Ben Simmons this season, Embiid led the 76ers to a fifth-place finish in the East and was just 2.5 wins away from the First Heat in the East. Embiid averaged 29.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. In the latest issue of the MVP rankings, Embiid surpassed The Alphabet Brother and Jokic in the first place. In addition, Embiid is also the current league's top scorer. Now Embiid has successfully recruited Harden. The emperor is going to make a contribution now, is the era of 76 people really coming?
The reason why Harden chose to transfer to the 76ers halfway is that in addition to dissatisfaction with the Nets' internal management, the 76ers have a prospect of winning the championship that he cannot refuse. Take a look at the 76ers' current starting lineup of Embiid, Harris, Maxi, Danny Green, Harden. To be highly advanced, to be flexible and flexible, the 76ers' existing roster is enough to end any opponent on both offense and defense. And the only thing that can make Harden join the 76ers without delay is probably Embiid.
According to statistics, Embiid has averaged 35.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the past 15 games, shooting percentage, three-point shooting rate and free throw shooting rate have reached a staggering 56%, 39.2% and 83% respectively. In many technical statistics, Embiid can easily win 27+8 in the first three quarters, and his playing time is only more than 20 minutes. In the game against the Magic, Embiid only played 27 minutes to burst 50 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, if not in the fourth quarter of the game to start the point difference was pulled to 20 points, Embiid scored 60+ is no problem. 50 points in 27 minutes, what is the concept in NBA history?
Since 1983, only two players in the NBA have scored 50+ in 30 minutes of playing time. In addition to Embiid, the other was Klay Thompson, who blasted 60 points in 29 minutes against the Pacers that year. Clay is a historic three-point shooter, scoring almost from no-ball running positions and empty three-pointers. Embiid, on the other hand, scored more on the inside chisel and mid-range shots. In terms of independent scoring ability, Embiid's scoring ability will be stronger.
Embiid is 216 cm tall and weighs 116 kg, making him a typical strong center. But under the thick body is the technique and pace of a small forward. Embiid has a flexible pace, can avoid the double bag on the inside, put the ball into the basket, or use his physical advantage to force the inside to score. Embiid has a soft feel and a stable mid-range. Although Embiid is physically explosive, he is extremely smart at playing. Somewhat similar to Tim Duncan, he can always take advantage of opponent defensive loopholes to complete the score. Unlike Duncan, Embiid's have outside three-pointers that make opponents jealous. Embiid's three-point shooting percentage of 35.9 percent this season is perfectly content with the modern center's outside shooting percentage.
Embiid's defense is more frightening than attack. The Giant's height of +2.28m arm span is enough to make Embiid the patron saint of the 76ers' restricted area. In one-on-one singles, Embiid can restrict any of the league's interior players from scoring. To appear on the field, Embiid's good defensive habits have made him the core of the defense on the field. Embiid has a particularly good sense of defensive positioning, and he can successfully predict the breakthrough route of opponents on the field. A simple inside position can block the opponent's offensive route. Aside from the poor maneuverability and maneuverability, Embiid has almost no obvious shortcomings.
Embiid entered the NBA draft in 2014 after suffering from a stress fracture. Embiid, who was likely to compete for the title, slipped and was eventually selected by the 76ers with the third pick. After being drafted by the 76ers, Embiid missed two consecutive seasons due to foot surgery. In his comeback debut in his third season, Embiid played 22 minutes against the Thunder, scoring 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. In the following games, Embiid gained a lot of fans for his devastating performances. As a result, the phrase "the emperor went out on the expedition and there was no grass" was widely circulated in the NBA. After the rookie season, Embiid averaged 25.4 minutes per game and could get 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.45 blocks. Seeing such a promising rookie, the 76ers decisively signed Embiid to a five-year, $148 million rookie top salary extension.
The following year, in the 76ers against the Lakers, Embiid played 34 minutes and had 46 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 blocks. He is also the first player in NBA history to get 45+15+7+7 stats. In addition, Embiid led the 76ers to the playoffs with a third-place finish in the East. Embiid's best helpers at the time were only rookies Ben Simmons and Covington. The 76ers beat Wade's Heat in the first round, and although they were eliminated by the Celtics in the second round, Embiid averaged 21.6 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in the playoffs, which still laid hope for the team's rise.
Embiid, like most players, exploded in the third year, averaging 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. Embiid played more efficiently and intelligently that year, being the league's second-most center after Jokic. The most important thing is that the 76ers got Jimmy Butler through a trade, giving the team a qualitative improvement in key ball execution. That year, the 76ers lightly won the Nets in the first round of the playoffs and fought seven games with the Raptors who won the championship that year, before winning and losing through Leonard's kill. Although the 76ers eventually regretted being out, Embiid's performance made everyone think that Embiid and top stars could help the 76ers win the championship.
Two seasons later, Butler joined the Heat, and Ben Simmons proved with his actions that he was not the top star around Embiid. In the end, Ben Simmons parted ways with the 76ers, and the 76ers got James Harden. The 76ers also became the favourites for this year's titles. Harden has won the MVP and the scoring king, and Embiid's curry position is undoubtedly MVP level. As long as Harden can return to the former competitive state of the Rockets, the 76ers have every chance to beat the Bucks and the Nets rush out of the East to win the championship.
It's just a pity that Durant, Irving, and Harden, who have only played 16 games together, have been disbanded. Such an ending is unexpected and in line with people's expectations. After all, Embiid and Harden's desire to win the championship as soon as possible has become an open secret of the league. If the 76ers and the Nets happen to meet in the playoffs, then Durant and Harden must have something else in mind...