The 76ers’ early success has come from star power, but Joel Embiid’s new role may be the real reason the offense feels different.
Philadelphia has spent a lot of this season digging out of holes, yet it has still found ways to win by closing games with force. A big part of that has been Embiid’s shift on offense, where he’s taken on a more prominent playmaking role and opened up a different version of his game.
The numbers back it up. Embiid is averaging 5.7 assists per game, the highest mark of his career.
At the same time, his scoring efficiency has been uneven to start the season, though that has long been part of his early-season rhythm. What stands out is that he’s doing more with less, operating with fewer shot attempts than ever on a per-36-minute basis.
Only LeBron James is averaging more assists than Embiid right now, a striking development for a player who was not expected to carry such a heavy passing load. That’s especially true on a roster that also includes Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, both capable of helping initiate offense. The expectation was that Embiid would be the defensive anchor and a primary scorer, not one of the league’s most productive facilitators.
Nick Nurse has leaned into a setup that puts Embiid at the top of the key and in the high post, where he can survey the floor and work as an offensive hub. Because he still commands double teams with his one-on-one scoring threat, he’s become a natural release point for finding cutters and shooters.
That role was on full display when James was out against the Bucks. Embiid handled the main playmaking duties and finished with a triple-double: 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
He hasn’t been at his usual level as a scorer yet, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a dominant force. More importantly, the 76ers don’t need him to do everything by himself. The offense has looked smoother when he blends in, gets to his spots and reads the game as a passing outlet.
Philadelphia’s offensive rating is still below where it wants to be this early in the season. Even so, Embiid’s willingness to adapt gives the 76ers a path to becoming one of the league’s better offenses as the year goes on. The key is whether he can keep this version of his game going long enough to matter.
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Anfernee Simons Could Decide One Huge Sixers Roster Question
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Simons also carries a bigger question with him, though, because his fit and production could end up shaping a major decision for the front office. If he delivers the shooting punch the Sixers need, he becomes a much cleaner piece to build around, but if he falls short, his sizable salary could make him a trade candidate and leave Philadelphia weighing another difficult roster move. [Read more 🡒]