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<\/a><\/p>\n(Photo by Chris Coduto\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
I know what you\u2019re thinking. You\u2019re thinking \u201cbut Erin, you just said Embiid didn\u2019t play in this game\u201d and you\u2019d be right. He didn\u2019t. And my goodness, how evident it was. It absolutely baffles me when anyone \u2014 from media members to fans to just people online \u2014 acts like Embiid isn\u2019t completely crucial to the success of this team. I would point them in the direction of this game and the game on Monday. Yes, they were also missing Paul George (suspension) and Quentin Grimes (illness) making them shorthanded all the way around, but the gaps those guys leave are a bit easier to fill.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday night, the Sixers simply could not put up any sort of defense in the paint or at the rim on the Knicks. Seemingly no one could even slow down Karl-Anthony Towns. Embiid might not be as explosive as he once was, but he still contributes a hell of a lot in this department.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not even to mention the offensive scoring, spacing, playmaking and more that Embiid has been able to contribute on a consistent basis over the last month and a half for the Sixers. It\u2019s not a coincidence that, not only do they miss out on his points, but the rest of the Sixers\u2019 offense struggles as a whole when Embiid is off the floor.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not saying it should be all on Embiid to keep an entire team from completely imploding\u2026 but it certainly seems like he\u2019s a major factor in it. The Sixers better hope for their sake he doesn\u2019t need to miss any sort of extended time, because the past two games make it seem like he\u2019s the only thread holding the damn thing together at this point.<\/p>\n
I think everyone \u2014 from the team to the fans \u2014 are ready for a bit of a break. With Embiid continuing treatment for his right knee, an illness going around the squad, everyone still bouncing back from their West Coast trip and the passing of the trade deadline, this All-Star hiatus is coming at the perfect time.<\/p>\n
The best case scenario for this next week is to serve as a reset for the Sixers. Get everyone rested up and as healthy as possible, hopefully getting Embiid back in the lineup right away. Try to mentally flush both the drama of the trade deadline as well as the sour taste of these last few games. Work out the situations with the two-way contracts and 10-day guys to get some stability in the roster and rotation. Something has to give.<\/p>\n
Well, we\u2019ll see what happens and where we are in eight days.<\/p>\n
Tyrese Maxey: 32 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal<\/p>\n