Philadelphia 76ers heart Joel Embiid’s particular person résumé is about nearly as good because it will get for an NBA participant nonetheless in his 20s: six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, three-time All-Protection, two-time scoring champion and one MVP.
If the 29-year-old Philadelphia star’s recreation lagged in a single space, it was his distribution talents. He has by no means been a dangerous passer — in truth, he has made refined enhancements in that space all through his profession — however he is by no means been a high-level facilitator like Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis and even Houston phenom Alperen Sengun.
This season, Embiid nonetheless is not fairly on their stage in terms of distribution chops, however he has proven huge passing enchancment, which opens so many doorways for Philly’s offense.
In 2023-24, Embiid’s passing numbers are up throughout the board. He is averaging a career-high 6.4 assists per recreation and a career-high help price of 32.5% (third finest amongst massive males). He is additionally averaging 44.7 passes per recreation, 10.2 potential assists per recreation and owns an assist-to-pass ratio of 14.4%.
Final season, these numbers had been 40.5 passes per recreation, 6.3 potential assists and an assist-to-pass ratio of 10.2% — even these figures, on the time, had been a few of the finest marks of his profession.
The 2022-23 MVP’s passing improvement is not simply the product of a brand new system, although head coach Nick Nurse’s offense has helped unlock the two-man recreation between him and Tyrese Maxey, which has resulted within the second-best offensive score within the league. (Maxey himself is averaging a career-high 6.7 assists.) Reasonably, Embiid is making a concerted effort to get his teammates concerned by showcasing a imaginative and prescient that followers have not seen up to now.
Embiid has spoken about how Denver runs its offense by Jokic, permitting the two-time MVP to be concerned in additional methods than simply scoring. Whereas Jokic nonetheless clears the Sixers star in pure passing means (as a result of he clears everyone in passing means), Embiid’s newfound propensity for facilitation has helped rework the Sixers offense for the higher.
Such an enormous fashion change usually results in a drop-off in different statistical classes, however that isn’t the case for Embiid so far. He is nonetheless hyper-aggressive when trying to find his personal shot, which is why he is averaging 33.4 factors per recreation and taking pictures 21.2 occasions per recreation, each profession highs.
Maybe the wildest a part of all? Embiid’s utilization price is definitely down from the previous two seasons (36.7% vs. 37 and 37.2, respectively), which implies he isn’t any extra of an offensive hub this season than in seasons years. He has simply been extra environment friendly and efficient together with his decision-making when the ball is in his fingers. His elbow touches and post-ups are down from final season, however his paint touches are up, which implies he isn’t simply attempting to bully defenders down low — he is nonetheless doing that lots, although.
Embiid’s private accomplishments are mighty spectacular, however till he makes a playoff run previous the second spherical, questions will stay about his means to guide a workforce to the best stage of success. Will enhancements as a passer be the catalyst for Philadelphia making a deep playoff run? Can he and Maxey proceed to be a world-beating duo when defenses scheme round them for seven video games?
These questions will not be answered till Could 2024, when the playoffs roll round, however it’s absolutely a great signal that Embiid remains to be increasing his recreation this deep into his profession. He is nonetheless taking part in the fashion of basketball that received him an MVP, and he is added a couple of extra instruments to his device belt.
