As we all know, the playoffs are the stage where the stars are tested. Why? Although there were 82 games in the regular season, the intensity of the game was not very high, and the offensive and defensive ends were just like that. But the playoffs are different, and the playoffs are a test of the ability of the leading stars. Some stars metamorphose in the playoffs, while others emerge in the playoffs. This year, for example, there have been a lot of stars in the playoffs who have played worth, and there have been many stars who have had a hard time. You can look at Lillard, who played 4 games and averaged 31.3 points, 5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game, shooting just 42% from the field. When Lillard led the team alone, his shortcomings could be seen, and the Bucks' exit was expected.
And then let's look at Edwards, who was the superstar who stood out in the playoffs. In the playoffs the previous season, Edwards was widely criticized, but this season is different. Not to mention Edwards' average of 32+6+5 per game, the shooting rate is also quite high, reaching 54.7%, and the three-point shooting rate is 41.9%. What's more, in the game scene, Edwards is also a top-level presence, and there is no controversy. Let's take a look at Brunson, who is also a model of toughness. He averaged 35.6 points and 8.1 assists per game, leading the Knicks 2-0 in the second round. Players like these who have proven themselves on the playoff stage will only get wider and wider and will be respected.
Some players are respected, others are questioned. Embiid has played in the playoffs a lot over the years, but it's always the same. Once in the playoffs, Embiid becomes a complete softie. He averaged 23.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs last season, shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 17.9 percent from three-point range. Compared to the 22-23 regular season, there is a world of difference. During the regular season, Embiid averaged 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the field, but the playoffs shrank severely. In this year's playoffs, he averaged 33 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, but he shot 44.4% from the field. Can you imagine a super inside player with a shooting percentage of less than 50%. We can look at Jokic, who averages 27+15+9 per game while still maintaining a 54.2% shooting rate.
Based on the performance of the playoffs over the years, there must be no objection to saying that Embiid is a pseudo-supergiant in the league now. Embiid is only fit to play in the regular season, and don't expect much in the playoffs. This offseason, the 76ers have salary space and also a lot of draft picks. Judging by the relevant information, the 76ers are interested in Butler. However, the Heat made it clear that the 76ers would not be interested in a trade even if they offered up to three first-rounders and three first-round swaps. In other words, there will be no teaming up with pseudo-supergiants. In fact, these are all expected things, and Embiid has been proving one thing for so many years, and that is that the inappropriate team boss and the playoffs really don't work.
From the league's point of view, what they don't want to see is slowly becoming a reality. Everyone knows that the league needs to create a topic of conversation and want to make Embiid and Jokic the topic of comparison between the super centers in the East and the West. But the result? Jokic has already won the championship, and the number of MVPs has also thrown off Embiid. Jokic got rid of Embiid, and Embiid naturally couldn't be compared to Jokic. To some extent, Embiid's MVP may have become the most important honor of his career. If you want to win the championship, it's not very likely.