The 76ers Need To Be Better When Joel Embiid Goes To The Bench
There has been a consistent trend when the Sixers get to the playoffs over the past several seasons. I am not talking about Joel Embiid getting injured, though that’s also a thing. The problem is more so what they do when Embiid comes off the court.
The Sixers Fall Apart Every Time Joel Embiid Goes To The Bench
Go back to the Raptors series in 2019. So much was made about his illness, and his struggles on offense. But despite him struggling from the floor, they were still a staggering +90 in those 7- games. They won the Embiid minutes in 6 of those 7 games, including being +10 with him out there in the decisive game 7.
It was the same story two years later against the Hawks, and the same story a year after that vs the Heat. And once again tonight, the Embiid-less minutes killed them. They were -21 with Embiid off the floor and +14 with him out there.
You can’t even pin that all on Paul Reed. Was he perfect? No. But he grabbed 5 rebounds in those 11 minutes and scored 4 points. The problem was the entire team came to a screeching halt every time Embiid took a rest. They barely eclipsed 10 points as a team in those minutes, and the Knicks took advantage on the offensive side of the ball without him.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 09: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center on April 09, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
They Need More From The Bench
Their bench scored just 7 points. The Knicks bench scored 42. Batum went cold from 3 after his great night vs the Heat, and Buddy Hield gave them nearly nothing. 0 pts, 1 asts, and a foul in 11 minutes.
Embiid scored 29 tonight despite an injury scare. Maxey went off in the 2nd half and scored 33. The stars did their part, despite the loss. The issue was the rest of the team, apart from Lowry who scored 18, and Oubre who had 10 points and 5 steals.
Embiid gets Heat for the Sixers falling short in the playoffs every year. He deserves a lot of it. But if in these series, they got even mediocrity out of the minutes when he was on the bench, they may have made it out of a 2nd round by now. They might have even won something.
If they don’t find a way to tread water when Embiid goes off, it will be another pre-mature playoff exit for them. More than any other issue, it is the thing that has most held them back over the years.
Listen To Or Watch ‘The Best Show Ever?’ Live On The 97.5 The Fanatic And On NBC Sports Philly From 2 To 6 p.m. every Weekday
5 Numbers That Could Tell The Story Of Sixers Vs Knicks
31-41
It is not just the players competing though, it is also the coaches. And Tom Thibodeau does not have the best history in the playoffs. In his career, he is 31-44 in the playoffs. Compare that to Nick Nurse, who is 25-16, with a Championship.
Nick Nurse has established his style can work in the playoffs. But it has always been a stumbling block for Thibodeau. He has had a ton of regular-season success in his career. And he deserves credit for turning the Knicks into one of the most competitive teams in the league. But the playoff ghost hangs over his head, and will until he leads his team to success in the playoffs.
om Thibodeau
20-3
Sixers fans all know how great of a record the Sixers have when Embiid plays. But the Knicks also dealt with injuries. OG Anunoby was traded to the Knicks mid-season, and missed time with an injury. But when he plays, they are 20-3.
The combo of him and Brunson make the Knicks an elite team. Since OG returned from injury in Mid-March, they are 8-1. So while we talk about the Sixers going into the playoffs hot thanks to getting Embiid back, the Knicks are in the same boat thanks to getting OG back.
