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
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.
Related: Can Paul George Beat Father Time? Still Feels Youthful At 34
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.
7 Things Caleb Martin Said When He Joined Mid-Days With Bob Cooney
On Bringing His Winning Experience To Philly
Bob Cooney: “You know, you can ask an athlete when they come here and say, Oh, why’d you come here? And in the back of your mind, as a reporter, as a guy on the radio, in the back of my mind, I say, well, because they gave him a boatload of money. You came here, it appears, for different reasons, and you are being applauded for it. What is the most exciting thing about coming here to play for the Philadelphia 76ers?
Caleb Martin: “I think being a part of something special that they’re building here. I think, you know, the last couple years I’ve had a decent amount of winning experience, and I would love to try to bring that type of energy and approach to this team, which they’ve already have, and I just think that they’re just trying to build more on that. So I just want to be part of the winning process here.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat attempts a three point basket against Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 29, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
On Why He Was Drawn To The Sixers
Amy Fadool: “You’ve gone against the Sixers for a number of years, and you know what they’re trying to build here. How much was that a draw, when you see all the moves they had, and the fact they had basically a clean slate, a blank roster, really. Now they’re building it and you were one of the key pieces. What does that tell you?”
Caleb Martin: “It just makes me grateful and appreciative that they see me as a piece that can help them try to get to where they’re going, and ultimately, that championship. Just being a guy who’s recently been to the finals, (who) also understands how long that road is, and how tough that road is. It’s about taking it a step at a time and that starts before we even start training camp. But again, like you said, it is like just being a part of something special and being a part of that winning culture, and being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself is something that’s very that definitely wants to draw you in.”
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 24: Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat watches a three-point shot go in against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of game two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on April 24, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Doesn't Care If He Starts Games, Just Wants To Finish Them
Bob Cooney: “Caleb, you come here to Philadelphia and if I had two envelopes here, and I said, Caleb, this envelope has 25 to 30 minutes a night as a starter, and this envelope has 25 to 30 minutes a night as a reserve…Does that matter to you?”
Caleb Martin: “Starting or coming off the bench doesn’t matter. I think with me, it’s more getting the minutes, and I like to pride myself on finishing games, just in terms of being in and being in when it matters and when it matters down the stretch and when games on the line and when you need stops, or whatever it is, I like to be a guy that that can be relied on. Obviously, those are things I got to build trust through training camp with a new team and new staff. And I understand that’s the part where you kind of have to re-identify yourself and build that trust back up with a new group. I’m going to pride myself on trying to be in those situations as much as possible.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 01: Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat dribbles against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
On Playing With Kelly Oubre Jr
Amy Fadool: “It’s a new team. But you know one of your teammates, Kelly Oubre. Your days go back to when he was at Findlay Prep, you were at Oak Hill with your brother. I saw your brother is here with you and you’ve got some of your family (here). (Oubre) says he still owes you for Oak Hill beating Findlay Prep in the championship, but he also called himself the triplet, the third Martin. You guys obviously have a good relationship., I know he knows Cody a bit better, but how reassuring is it to already have a little bit of a familiar face?”
Caleb Martin: “It’s definitely reassuring. It’s a good feeling to know that you’re coming in just not on your own, and to have somebody who kind of knows you and knows how you operate and with me knowing how Kelly operates and what he’s about. It’s always good to have someone like that on your side coming into a new situation. So I’m excited to play with the triplet.”
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 02: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center on April 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On Loving The Pressure Philly Fans Put On Their Teams
Bob Cooney: “What were some of the things you maybe looked into that we don’t know about that helped you in this decision?”
Caleb Martin: “I felt that even when I was in Miami, just coming to play here, it’s just the environment, just the atmosphere of the fans and the way the city backs their teams. The type of good pressure it is to play well in is a privilege to be able to be under that type of, I would say, pressure, but, you know, it’s a good type of pressure, and it’s a fun type of pressure, and I think that only raises your level of play and attitude and approach to the game. So, you know, it did really excite me to be able to be a part of something like this at a time like this.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 06: Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat celebrates a three pointer against the Utah Jazz during the second half at FTX Arena on November 06, 2021 in Miami, Florida.
On Playing For Nick Nurse
Amy Fadool: “You’ve seen Nick Nurse, when he was with the Raptors and you saw him with the Sixers. How much was he a draw?”
Caleb Martin: “Huge, you know. That’s part of the reason, what drew me to Miami, you know, with (Erik Spolestra) and and then now here with Nick. Seeing his style and seeing his history, his winning history, and how he relates to players, how players are drawn to him. I just think that he’s definitely a type of player’s coach, the type of style that gave me confidence in being here. (He) just seems like the type of guy that you want to play for.”
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 09: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center on April 09, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On Playing With Tyrese Maxey
Amy Fadool: “You saw Tyrese Maxey when he first got here, and then each year, get better and better, the Most Improved Player last year…Here’s a guy that absolutely is a blur half the time. What do you think it’s gonna be like playing with a guy like that?”
Caleb Martin: “I’m gonna love that. I’m a runner, you know what I mean? So with a guy like that, that’s that fast with the ball, he (and Joel Embiid) those two guys and now, including PG, they draw so much attention, I should have a field day, you know I mean. I like this, it’s kind of hard to believe that my looks won’t be easier. So that’s one thing, obviously I’m excited about too. But just be able to, figure out to play with those guys and just have fun. I think it’s gonna be very exciting. Those guys tend to put on a show night in, night out, so I’m glad I get to be in the front row.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 30: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024 in New York City. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 112-106 in overtime.
