NBA: Joel Embiid and the Sixers thrive on team-first approach
Joel Embiid is starring for the Philadelphia Sixers at the start of the season and praises the team's rediscovered unity.
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Seven in a row for Philadelphia. On the road in Detroit, the Sixers secured a 7th consecutive victory of the new NBA regular season (114 to 106). The man chiefly responsible for the franchise's win was none other than Joel Embiid. Dominant in the air, the big man, now a naturalised American, let his talent do the talking to finish the game with a double-double (33 points, 16 rebounds and 3 assists). With a record of seven wins to one defeat and Embiid in very convincing form, Philadelphia unsurprisingly sit top of the Eastern Conference.
Read more on the subject: Joel Embiid responds to James Harden
Anything but a coincidence, according to Joel Embiid, who finds the group calmer and more focused on the collective since the end of the James Harden saga, with Harden eventually leaving to join the Los Angeles Clippers after almost 4 months of tension. "I think it's largely down to the culture we have. Nobody has an ego in this team. We recruited new players, we integrated them, we helped them improve. I think the fact that the guys want to play with each other and enjoy being around each other helps a lot," the reigning MVP told the press.
A thinly veiled response aimed at James Harden? Many see it that way, given that Harden had said of his role in Philadelphia: "I'm not a system player, I'm a system." A sign that the relationship between Harden and his coach had broken down.
"The players are selfless, the ball moves"
This rediscovered team spirit is therefore not unwelcome to head coach Nick Nurse, who is watching his side overpower opponents one after another. Phoenix, Toronto, Washington and Boston have all failed to withstand the Sixers' steamroller at the start of the season. "The players are selfless, the ball moves, whether the shots go in or not. The players are happy and care about the right things, which is winning. It's the only thing that matters and it's the only thing that should matter," Embiid said.
Symbolising this chemistry is his partnership with Tyrese Maxey. Already excellent in the clash with Boston, the pair did it again against the Pistons. Maxey also finished the game with a double-double (29 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists), a sign that everyone can chase their own individual numbers while still serving the team. All the lights appear to be green for now at the start of the season for Philly, who have definitively turned the page on Harden.
https://twitter.com/FirstTeam101/status/1723246033709178886