The Sixers found another option at center in their season opener. Joel Embiid helped make the call.
With three fouls late in the first half of Tuesday’s 106-100 win over the Knicks, Embiid suggested that LeBron James replace him in the middle. It gave Philadelphia a way to close the half without asking Embiid to defend cautiously to avoid a fourth foul.
“I suggested that to the guys, the coaching staff, because I just felt like the way they were calling fouls, I just felt like — and I was just being honest — I wasn’t going to be as aggressive as I should be on defense, having three fouls, wanting to stay on the floor,” Embiid said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I just told them I thought we should do that.”
James has long been reluctant to spend extended time at center because of the physical demands. But as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst writes, his willingness to play there is worth watching given Philadelphia’s thin frontcourt.
The Sixers lost Ariel Hukporti to a season-ending Achilles tear during the preseason, leaving coach Nick Nurse with fewer options behind Embiid. James won’t necessarily become the regular backup, but Tuesday showed that Nurse can turn to him in certain situations.
The experimentation continued when Embiid and James shared the floor. James defended Karl-Anthony Towns, allowing Embiid to take Josh Hart and help elsewhere.
Nurse said putting a forward on Towns gave Philadelphia more flexibility against the frequent pick-and-rolls involving Towns and Jalen Brunson.
“I think it was good,” Nurse said. “Over the long haul, it was very good for us, I think.”
Moving Well
Embiid finished with three blocks and sounded encouraged by how he moved. After injuries limited him in recent seasons, he wants to reestablish himself among the league’s best defenders.
“I think this year’s going to be back to All-Defensive team like in the past,” Embiid said, via Kris Rhim of ESPN. “So, felt good, moving great.”
Fast Start
Tyrese Maxey also blocked three shots while leading Philadelphia with 28 points. As Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes, his 16-point first half kept the offense going while others struggled.
The Sixers will need that scoring. Getting dependable defense from Embiid, with James willing to handle different assignments around him, would give them considerably more ways to win.
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