Nick Nurse Thinks Embiid Will Come Back Even Better After Olympics
Not everyone was pleased about Joel Embiid playing in the Olympics. Put aside the fact there are people out there mad at him for playing for the United States, there were also people concerned that it may not be what is best for him. Nick Nurse is not one of those people though. The Sixers coach spoke to Mid-Days with Bob Cooney, and he seemed very excited about what playing there could do for Embiid.
Nick Nurse Thinks The Olympics Could Help Embiid
![Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during game three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 25, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.](https://975thefanatic.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2024/04/GettyImages-2150232217.jpg?w=1024)
It is hard to imagine a world where Joel Embiid gets even better. He won the MVP two years ago and actually improved last season. He seemed a shoo-in for MVP before his injury. Embiid was averaging over a point per minute, was running the offense, and playing elite defense.
But then he got hurt and was never quite the same guy once he got back, even though he did play at a very high level against the Knicks.
Nick Nurse has seen a lot of players go play in the Olympics, and he made the claim that every player he coached came back a better player than they were before. He thinks the same could happen with Embiid.
“It is a great experience for him on a number of fronts. One, coming off the injury, gives him a chance to get quality work in the summer. Also being around other great players and great coaches. But lastly, this is real competition. These guys give it everything they have got. The competitiveness and passion these teams play with is almost unmatched… Every guy I have had go over and be a part of this always comes back better.”
We have seen Embiid dominate in the regular season, but for various reasons, some his fault, some not his fault, he has not yet gotten a chance to play in the most important games. The 2nd round of the playoffs is the most high pressure situation he has played in.
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Now, Embiid gets to play in perhaps the highest pressure situation. Assuming the United States does not choke, he may have a chance to play in a Gold Medal game. Like Nurse said, Olympic basketball can be intense. That intensity could pay dividends for Embiid come April, May, and June.
That experience, along with playing with Championship caliber players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, etc, is going to be very good for him. Learning how to win, and how to operate with other super star players, will go a long way to helping Embiid reach his full potential. It will also prepare him for being part of a true Big 3 this season with Paul George and Tyrese Maxey.
It was semi-slow start for Embiid in the exhibition games. But in the last couple of games we have seen him come to life. He Lebron, and Curry, have a nice 3-man game chemistry going. I think Nick Nurse is correct, and that this will be a very good thing for the Sixers Big Man.
Watch Bob Cooney live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.