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Joel Embiid is coming off an MVP season in 2022-2023, but it was another year that ended in a rather embarrassing playoff disappointment for the Sixers, with a blowout loss to the Celtics in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

When the dust settled, yes, Embiid still had his first career Most Valuable Player Award, but head coach Doc Rivers was fired in the wake of the playoff loss, and Philadelphia again found itself looking at the need to take the next step -- post-The Process days -- but again, titleless.

For the MVP's part, he still had a solid series, but he underperformed compared to his dominant regular season. He put up 25 points and nine rebounds per game, but was inefficient in his output as the veteran big man only shot 42 percent from the field and a paltry 20 percent from deep.

The Sixers needed a more consistent showing from their MVP and Lakers great Robert Horry, a mainstay on LA's three-peat teams in the early 2000's, had some choice words for Embiid on how he could've done better against the Celtics.

"If Joel Embiid would have taken his big a** into the paint, Philly would've won that series." (via @allthesmoke/Instagram)

When looking back at that series, Horry seems to be on the right track in his assessment.

Given that Embiid is one of the best big men in the NBA, the Sixers would have been much better served by Embiid remaining inside and having his presence there open up the rest of the offense for James Harden and Co. And by him being inside, his free throw rate would've likely increased -- certainly a more efficient way for the 86 percent free throw shooter to score -- and get the Celtics in foul trouble in the process.

Even though the NBA has taken more of a perimeter focus over the past decade or so, there are pitfalls to that method.

Joel Embiid fell victim to that and Philadelphia remains looking for more playoff glory as a result.