76ers’ Joel Embiid Goes From Passive to Aggressive vs. Raptors

When the lights turn on for the start of a new NBA season, you can’t always count on the league’s top stars to rev it up, picking up right where they left off. Joel Embiid, who has been prone to slow starts in the past, is no exception coming off of his MVP-winning season.

On Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, Embiid entered the 2023-2024 NBA season with just one preseason game under his belt. That much was evident as the big man struggled during his 36-minute shift in the one-point loss.

Taking 21 shots from the field, Embiid drained 43 percent of his shots to produce 24 points, which is below average by his standards. Taking four trips to the charity stripe, Embiid had an out-of-character performance with his freebies, making just 38 percent of his foul shots.

The big man also led the Sixers in the turnover department, coughing the ball up seven times, which was two turnovers shy from the most in his career on a single night.

Living by his usual mantra, preached by the local hoops icon Sonny Hill, Embiid entered the Sixers’ second matchup of the year with the same mindset as always: can’t get too high, can’t get too low.

With a clear mind two nights later, Embiid faced the Toronto Raptors, looking to bounce back after suffering a game-one loss to the Bucks on Thursday. Off the bat, Embiid was hungry to get his reps. Playing the entire first quarter, Embiid led the Sixers with shots taken, attempting seven from the field.

Embiid was the fire-starter for the Sixers, keeping the flame lit despite Toronto getting off to a 12-point lead early in the first half. The big man didn’t continue raining shots in the second quarter, but he picked it right back up at the start of the second half.

In ten minutes of action during the third quarter, Embiid attempted six shots from the field, with one coming from beyond the arc. Every attempt dropped, which helped the Sixers outscore the Raptors by 15 in the third quarter, changing the lead over and getting control into Philadelphia’s possession.

With a 91-79 lead going into the final quarter of the outing, Embiid and the 76ers knew what they needed to do to keep their distance from Toronto so they could secure their first win of the year after a close but rusty first showing in Milwaukee.

“I’m knocking off the rust,” Embiid told reporters, comparing his latest two performances. “[Milwaukee was] the first game of the season, so I was being extremely passive trying to go through the offense. That was a big reason why I had seven turnovers. Tonight, I just took my time. They came, and they doubled pretty quickly, but tonight was more aggressive. I was just catching the ball, going quick, and making the right plays.”

Embiid found success on all levels offensively on Saturday night. He feasted in the paint, hit a couple of signature mid-range jumpers, and even nailed one of his three shots from beyond the arc. After struggling at the free throw line on Thursday, Embiid went 5-6 from the charity stripe versus Toronto.

Along with Tyrese Maxey, Embiid produced 34 points. The center-guard duo accounted for 60 percent of the Sixers’ scoring on Saturday night. And with Embiid’s scoring opening up his high level of confidence, the seven-footer got busy in other areas of the game as well.

His passing improvements were displayed as Embiid created eight assists. In the rebounding department, Embiid had a notable impact, coming down with nine boards on the defensive end. Rim protection was also on Embiid’s agenda, as his presence alone altered many shots. He also swatted two blocks on the stat sheet to add to his busy night.

Best of all? Embiid turned the ball over just once. Despite the double-teams being thrown at him, Embiid didn’t look flustered in the slightest. Knowing his shot was falling, and his teammates were flying around to garner themselves open looks, giving him a chance to pass away from the pressure, Embiid impacted the game in every way, putting together a performance that reminds viewers why he was at the top of the MVP ranks last season.