Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor and NBA writer Es Baraheni discuss the recent play from Joel Embiid and how it could finally be the time for them to make a run in the East. Check out the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
View more
Advertisement
Video Transcript
Earlier in the year, the conversation around the Sixers was about.
Well, Tyrese Maxey’s been awesome, VJ.
He might be the Rookie of the Year.
Paul George is trending up, but Joel Embiid wasn’t rebounding.
He wasn’t moving, he wasn’t defending.
Well, he’s been absolutely sensational as of late.
In 2026, this calendar year, 33.9 game, 28.2 points per game, 8.4 rebounds.
Embiid looks more like himself.
And, you know, maybe it’s just the optimist in me.
Me, but I still hope for the Sixers that it’s like, one of those nightmarish runs that ends in a, a happy ending for Philadelphia.
Where Embiid happens to stay healthy for once.
Advertisement
It only needs to happen once for this team to have a chance.
Yeah.
But, you know, for now, as of today, in the middle, and middle of late January, Embiid’s looking more like himself.
It’s just cool to see after that horrible start.
Yeah, it absolutely is cool to see.
I’ve always thought of the Sixers and the Embiid situation.
In a similar way, to your point about it having a happy ending, to the Dirk Nowitzki Mavericks in 2011.
And by the way, Dirk was a healthy player, relatively, like, didn’t get hurt.
This is not an injury conversation, but it’s more about the conversation around a player.
Yes.
So many people were doubting Dirk Nowitzki and his ability to get it done when it matters to be a true player that can lead a team championship.
Advertisement
I don’t think there is a player in the NBA that would benefit from a championship run more than Joel Embiid.
And it would be awesome to see.
To your point about how he’s playing better Recently, I would say he’s playing better offensively.
I still think the defense needs to get there.
Mm-hmm.
You know, in that Knicks matchup over the weekend, the the Knicks went super small, and in part, that was because they wanted to drag Embiid.
Embiid out of the paint.
But I agree with you that the offense is there.
He’s shooting the ball very well.
He’s worked very…
Very well off of Maxey.
He’s still a very great screener, and so the combination between Maxie running around on these dribble handoffs and pitch actions, and Embiid being the screener, it just creates so many good opportunities for the Sixers’ offense.
Advertisement
And to your point about a magical run, Maybe this is the year, because the Knicks aren’t looking like dominant contenders.
That they are.
The Pistons are still in improve-it mode.
Maybe this is the magical run year that the Sixers can have.