Passed to a Nikola Jokic to be elected MVP in 2021-2022, Joel Embiid is not discouraged for all that. While the in-between seasons is just beginning, the pivot would already be back in the room to work for next season. Good news for the Sixers, who could see a new version of Jojo show up at training camp in a few weeks.
Eliminated in the second round of the Playoffs by the Heat, Joel Embiid and the Sixers have been on vacation for a few weeks already. Even though he was edged out by Nikola Jokic in the MVP race this year, the Cameroonian has just released a pure season (30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists), but he failed to carry his team to the next round, suffering several face and hand injuries. Far from being defeated, The Process took advantage of these first weeks of the offseason to recover his health by going through the “operation” box for his sores on his thumb, a way to start on a good footing before a season that could be even better for the pivot. In any case, the latter sends very positive signs in this direction: according to Kevin O’Connor de The Ringer, the interior would already be ready to prepare for next season. A smooth recovery given that he should not yet have fully recovered from his time on the pool table, but a symbolic info of the state of mind that animates Jojo, who wants to break everything for the recovery of this fall. The American journalist tells us more about his intentions for this summer:
“Embiid is ready. He was an MVP candidate for the second season in a row and he keeps improving. He just turned 28, so he has time to improve his game. Sources say he is already working on this offseason, including attacking the perimeter and finishing the basket. […] If Embiid develops his ability to play on the perimeter, it could take some pressure off James Harden and Tyrese Maxey. »
Joel Embiid would therefore have planned to work on his game away from the circle. When we see how physically dominant he is already in the racket and skilled (49.9% shooting, 37.1% behind the line and 81.4% throwing), we think that Embiid could really be indefensible if it developed its playmaking capabilities a little more. A way also to depend less on the irregular performances of James Harden and to free him to gain in efficiency. While they only showed snippets of what they could do on pick and roll, the Harden-Embiid duo could finally find the right chemistry next season. Because we know, all title candidates rely on at least two top players to multiply the threats. Jojo’s studious summer could therefore pay off big for the Sixers.
At 28, Joel Embiid is slowly getting into his prime but doesn’t want to waste any more time. With a status now recognized as a candidate for the title of MVP, the pivot wants to continue to progress to reach the heights. And if mayonnaise takes with James Harden, the Sixers could be rather complicated to play next season, even in the spring.
Source : The Ringer