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NEW YORK – Joel Embiid is a "trailing arms son", according to the Philadelphia 76ers Wing, Jimmy Butler. On Saturday, Butler said he had accompanied Embiid to the post-game podium after the fourth game of their first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets "so he's not doing any nonsense when he's at the top. " A few minutes later, the first NBA troll said that he felt good about riding 3-1, but those numbers could not leave his mouth without joking.
"We absolutely do not want to be in a situation like the Warriors [three] years ago, "said Embiid.
Embiid and Butler laughed and he left the podium. "That's my booty," Butler said as he left the interview room at Barclays Center.
"No, I was joking," said Embiid, as if such clarification was needed. Since he had just led his team to a 112-108 win with 31 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, six blocks and two interceptions in 32 minutes, he had largely deserved the right to blunder.
"Given the volume of playing time that it has not had lately, it's simply a dominant performance," said Sixers coach Brett Brown. "What more can you say?"
About this game time: Embiid had not played since Monday because he missed the third game due to tendonitis in the left knee. As he has done throughout the series, he took over 30 minutes of play for the first time since April 4th. He will play against every pain he will cross on the field in sets, but he did it. do not let this – or any other imperfect circumstance – prevent it from taking over.
Embiid had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the second half only, and much of it came after Butler was ejected. (A scrum ensued after Embiid committed a blatant foul on Jarrett Allen – Embiid said he saw the retransmission and that he felt like he had everything – and the attacker Nets Jared Dudley charged him.) Again and again, Brooklyn used his man as a screener. Again and again, the guards attacked him at the edge. Embiid challenged anyone who showed up, then ran to the court to say it at the other end. It is the reason why Philadelphia won the points-at-the-battle battle 62-44.
The peculiarities of the nets make it a fascinating environment for Embiid, a massive anomaly in a league increasingly small and fast. The Brooklyn attack is built around a ground spacing for Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Angelo Russell, who inflict damage by shooting the dribble three times and heading to the brink with the 39, intention to create layups or 3. Embiid therefore has trouble covering the ground and protect the paint. At the other end, however, the Nets are even less equipped than most teams to cope with Embiid's physical condition. You can watch the Sixers play against anyone and see how Embiid's presence changes the games, but Brooklyn makes the situation more extreme.
Philadelphia Guard J.J. Redick said that nothing else Embiid no longer surprises him, adding that he "is one of the top five players in the NBA". No matter where you rank it, you have to recognize that there are not many players able to do what Embiid did directly after the Dudley hubbub. He cut a Russell reader, went on to block Joe Harris's rug and got a quick bucket during the transition:
You can not question Allen's effort, the second-year center that has paired him up. Embiid is too strong and too agile, even though it is far from perfect health:
"I'm just trying to live in painting," said Embiid. "They're going to have to double me, I think they're going to have to send two or three guys in. In this kind of situation, they're keeping me in single blanket, I'm going to dominate." will also do the right thing. "
The death has not always been a force for Embiid, who is still working to reduce his turnarounds and read the pitch. However, he has come a long way when it comes to anticipating the origin of double teams and finding open teammates. Several times he charged Brooklyn for sending help:
Brown acknowledged that it was difficult to use "the unique gift" of Embiid in the half-court without the offense becoming stagnant. If the Sixers advance, it will be a permanent concern. Their likely opponent is the Toronto Raptors, whose starting center, Marc Gasol, has always defended Embiid better than most. Gasol also has a range of 3 points, which is a problem at the other end. It is encouraging, however, that Philadelphia are in a second-round win after their worst fears materialized in their playoff game. As messy as this series was as dramatic as Game 4, Embiid and the Sixers overcame all sorts of problems with immense talent. Their hope is that it does not stop anytime soon.
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