Sixers discuss potentially resting star Joel Embiid in upcoming games
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has exerted a lot of energy ever since Christmas Day. In games since then, Embiid has averaged 34.1 points and 10.6 rebounds while shooting 55.2% from the floor and 35.2% from deep.
He has also played in 20 straight games now which is the longest streak of his career and it may have affected him in Thursday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Embiid still put up 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, but he did shoot just 9-for-20 from the floor and 8-for-13 from the foul line. That isn’t Embiid-like and it may be time to rest him for a game or two in order to ensure he is ready for bigger games despite his want to play in every game.
“I’m sure we’re gonna rest him at some point when he needs it and when he wants it, but I think this has been a great teacher for him, for us,” said coach Doc Rivers. “It’s a form of leadership, but we still have to be smart in this as well.”
Embiid has made it known that he wants to play in every game in order to lead this team. With the ongoing Ben Simmons saga and everything else that has transpired with injuries and COVID, the big fella has proven to be that leader for this team.
“Really, two summers ago, obviously, you can’t control injuries, or freak injuries and I’ve been fortunate enough that I haven’t had any major ones especially after the first two years that I’ve missed,” said Embiid. “Obviously, last year I had a tough one. Then this year, besides missed time during Covid, I think I’ve only missed one game and that’s probably because of rest so it’s good. We are in a good rhythm, the whole team around me is making sure that everything is in place for me to be able to continue to produce on the court.”
After scoring 42 points and 14 rebounds in Tuesday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Embiid did admit that it is tough playing with so much energy for an entire game. He explained that he had to pace himself a bit in order to get the job done.
“I was really bad,” said Embiid on Tuesday after that win. “I was doing it to an extreme level, I would say, and then in the third quarter, I really had enough at halftime. I just needed to be aggressive offensively and especially defensively, because we didn’t have a great game in the first half. It’s hard to play with that energy all game long so sometimes you need to pace yourself and as the game went along, I started feeling much better.”
Rivers has experience with guys who need rest in some games with Kawhi Leonard being the greatest example during his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. When it comes to Embiid, he will just listen to the science and the doctors.
“I don’t have a feel,” said Rivers. “I don’t think anybody does. The one thing they’re learning with science is before it was everyone was the same and now they realize, everyone’s not the same. Every single guy has a way of resting and keeping his time.”
Embiid and Rivers will keep in dialogue as he and the team try to work through the rest of this season to be sure he is ready when the games matter most in April and May.
“It’s a good dialogue.,” said Rivers. “That’s what you have to have. I think that’s what the science are starting to find out. The old ways, they didn’t speak, they just told you. Now, they take into account what you say and I think it’s working better that way.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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