The 2024-25 NBA Regular Season is two weeks away from beginning, and now enter the preseason stage of the offseason. Notably, the Philadelphia 76ers had an active offseason which saw them transform their roster into one of the deepest in the association. With the season upcoming the Sixers’ priorities shift to doing all they can to keep Joel Embiid healthy.
How The Philadelphia 76ers Can Keep Joel Embiid Healthy
Decrease Scoring Load
During the offseason, the Sixers were able to sign Paul George and create one of the top-scoring trios in the league. George, being a player who does not necessarily need the ball in his hands all the time to score, should increase Philly’s offensive capabilities. Also, his scoring abilities combined with the development of Tyrese Maxey should decrease the scoring load for Joel Embiid.
Embiid, not having to do everything offensively to help Philly win games, will keep him fresh and healthy for the playoff run. He has become one of the best scorers in the league, and before his knee injury was on pace for another scoring title and MVP award. Additionally, he is one of the best big men in the league, and if he can score less to preserve himself for the postseason it will increase the Sixers’ chances of making their first NBA Finals appearance since 2001.
Keep Improving Playmaking Skills
Last season, Embiid averaged a career-high 5.6 assists per game. His improved passing abilities were one of the biggest developments of last season for Philly. As a result, Embiid created more high-percentage shooting opportunities for his teammates, and he became even more of a nightmare for opposing teams to guard. This paired his elite scoring with the ability to make teams pay for double-teaming him, by finding the hole in their defensive scheme.
Continuing to improve as a facilitator will help keep Joel Embiid fresh during the season. Additionally, his ability to balance dominating a game with his passing ability instead of scoring will be an even bigger development for the Sixers. Learning how to do that will increase Philly’s championship window for at least the next four years.
Embiid becoming an even better playmaker will allow him to increase his assists numbers and improve team chemistry. This becomes even more important with the Sixers having a number of fresh players on their roster, who are still learning how to play with each other.
Become A Defensive Menace
Despite never being a top finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, Joel Embiid is one of the best defensive players in the league. With the addition of more offensive-minded players to the roster, Embiid should be able to have a bigger impact on the defensive end. Sacrificing his offensive highlights for more defensive highlights would make the Sixers one of the best defensive teams in the association.
Also, Embiid’s length and ability to adequately guard most positions on the floor would create an even more aggressive defensive scheme for Philly. Embiid increasing his defensive responsibility and becoming a defensive menace, will make the Philadelphia 76ers even more of a force in the loaded Eastern Conference. In addition, it will make them a legitimate title contender for the next few years.
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