While the Philadelphia 76ers definitely wish things ended differently with Ben Simmons, they are doing just fine without him thanks to the heroic output of Joel Embiid.
The team’s big man has really stepped it up recently and has led them to five straight wins, including victories against one of the best teams in the league: the Brooklyn Nets.
Embiid is playing better than he has in a long time and is obviously driven to guide his team and make Simmons nothing but a distant memory.
Embiid Takes Control
One of the complaints people used to make about Embiid was that he wasn’t a team leader but watching him lately makes that seem totally untrue.
Over the last five games, Embiid is averaging 33.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and four assists a game.
Additionally, he’s got a field goal percentage of 59.2 percent and a three-point percentage of 47.1 percent.
This is a man who knows the team is on his shoulders – and doesn’t mind at all.
Embiid is a big dude but he will never be a defensive powerhouse like Simmons.
With that being said, Embiid is producing such a strong offensive output that it’s definitely making up for the defensive deficit the team has.
Embiid’s aggression on the floor is obvious – and very impressive.
He is playing with heart and soul and grit and determination on nearly every possession.
This is leading to some fantastic plays that are surely worthy of SportsCenter.
In fact, he is playing so well that he’s actually making it look simple, sailing his massive frame from one side of the floor to the other with ease.
Joel Embiid is fantastic pic.twitter.com/kRjWxlB5kB
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) January 6, 2022
Of course, Embiid has room for improvement.
He’s certainly more aggressive but his turnover rate has ticked up a bit recently (3.4 for the last five games) but even that is a sign that he’s trying to be aggressive and play well with others.
Team Dynamics
Embiid is undoubtedly bringing the entire team into the fold in the absence of Simmons.
All of the 76ers roster has stepped up recently and they are playing like a solid unit.
Andre Drummond and Seth Curry are particularly impressive lately and are creating space on the floor and acting in unison with Embiid.
HUGE block by Joel Embiid at one end and Seth Curry with the layup at the other!!#Sixers #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/ZLHAx9ARlm
— Brodes Media (@BrodesMedia) January 6, 2022
There were some who doubted that Drummond and Embiid would work well together but Embiid heard those doubters and cast them aside because he’s found great chemistry with Drummond.
With the current lineup, the 76ers are playing like a team that never even had Simmons – and that’s a good thing.
Remember the dreaded offseason with all the turmoil and drama caused by Simmons?
Well, those days are long gone and the team is better because of it.
You can tell that Embiid saw that the team needed him to step up and be a leader and that’s exactly what he’s done.
Not only is he having MVP-worthy games, but he’s also playing excellently with his squad and keeping the 76ers in playoff contention.
Embiid isn’t worried about Simmons anymore – and Philadelphia is all the better because of it.
NEXT: 3 Reasons The 76ers Need Damian Lillard
