Daily News | Joel Embiid’s defense is the reason this MVP shouldn’t have been his first
BOSTON — The first game on Joel Embiid’s MVP resumé tape? Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. No, it wasn’t a regular-season game. No, he didn’t play. But that’s kinda the point. The best way to appreciate Embiid’s full value is to take stock of the Sixers when he isn’t there. Because that’s when you see just how much he impacts the game on the defensive end.
That’s where Embiid’s impact really shows. The possessions where he looms the largest are often the ones when you don’t notice him at all. He is like a shutdown corner in that regard. He doesn’t get the interceptions. He doesn’t get his name called. His sheer presence forces the action in a different direction.
That’s an exaggeration, but only slightly. In Game 1, the Celtics got to the rim 25 times and made 22 of their shots from point-blank range. Their average shot distance was a mere 4.8 feet. Look at how that compares to the Sixers’ four games against the Celtics during the regular season:Feb. 25: 21-for-31 at the rim, 5.08 shot distanceThink about the disparity between those numbers and the ones the Celtics posted in Game 1. In games that Embiid played, Boston averaged 33 points at the rim.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Joel Embiid Ranks Middle Of Pack In Accumulated MVP Votes Before First WinJoel Embiid Ranks Middle Of Pack In Accumulated MVP Votes Before First Win - RealGM Wiretap
Read more »
Joel Embiid edges Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo for his first NBA MVP awardPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid finally broke through the barrier that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić had built, beating both two-time NBA MVPs to win the first trophy named for Michael Jordan.
Read more »
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid wins 2023 NBA MVP AwardPhiladelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player on Tuesday night.
Read more »
Joel Embiid wins 2023 NBA MVP awardPhiladelphia 76ers center and league scoring champion Joel Embiid earned his first NBA MVP trophy Tuesday night, edging two-time winner Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
Read more »
76ers' Joel Embiid edges Nuggets' Nikola Jokic for NBA MVP awardPhiladelphia 76ers center and league scoring champion Joel Embiid earned his first NBA...
Read more »