Joel Embiid takes blame for Sixers’ sluggish offense and acknowledges his shooting struggles
Embiid, who remains listed as questionable to play Thursday against the Toronto Raptors because of plantar fascia management, entered the night shooting 37% from the floor.
Joel Embiid took blame for the 76ers’ clunky offensive start during a rare and impromptu media session following Thursday morning’s shotoaround.
“I’ve said this so many times, [the halfcourt] feels crowded,” Embiid said. “But I also think it’s because I haven’t made shots. I put it on me.”
Embiid, who remains listed as questionable to play Thursday against the Toronto Raptors because of plantar fascia management, entered the night shooting 37% from the floor and 4-for-33 from three-point range. He is averaging 17.7 points and 3.8 assists in 10 games played.
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As a team, the Sixers entered Thursday ranked 22nd in offensive efficiency, at 109.8 points per 100 possessions. The starting lineup, which entering Thursday has played more minutes than any five-man group in the NBA, was even worse, scoring 101.8 points per 100 possessions and posting a minus-4.1 net rating.
Still, the Sixers are 9-3, thanks to a mostly terrific defense and eight “clutch” victories. And some offensive inconsistency was expected while blending four All-Stars — Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James, and Jaylen Brown — who have been their team’s leading scorer. Embiid playfully pushed back when asked about sharing the floor with several teammates who also are “ball-dominant.” The former MVP called he and James “ultimate connectors” and added that, “quite frankly, I just haven’t been aggressive.”
“You just want to make the right plays and pass the ball,” Embiid said. “Make the game easy for VJ [Edgecombe], ‘Rese or JB. … So I think it’s on me to just be aggressive about making plays, whether it’s scoring or making plays for someone else.”
Embiid said “I have no idea” when asked about his status for Thursday’s game and that his foot feels “OK.” Following the matchup against the Raptors, the Sixers have two days off before a back-to-back at home Sunday against the Indiana Pacers and on the road at the Brooklyn Nets Monday night.
“We’re gonna see what [the medical staff has] to say, and then we go from there.”
Inquirer beat reporters Gina Mizell and Chris Hine go behind the scenes of covering LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the Sixers’ star-studded roster, and debate what’s real and not real about the team’s hot start. Watch here.
Watch the full interview below and subscribe to the Sixers Extra podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
