While a lot has been said about the Philadelphia 76ers possibly breaking new heights on offense with their star-studded roster this season, their collective defensive acuity has not gotten as much attention –– and the reason is simple. This team remains a question mark on that end, and a controlling factor to that effect is Joel Embiid, who has to take the lead on defense as the team's anchor in that regard.
Embiid returning to being a DPOY-caliber anchor on defense, however, is much easier said than done. The former MVP has declined physically in recent years, and that is plenty enough to confidently say that he has taken a major step back from his defensive peak from just a few seasons ago. Hence, the 76ers have to make some crucial adjustments to how they approach the game on D, and how they go about it could very well determine their fate this season.
76ers adjusting on defense for Joel Embiid could make or break them
Embiid is not as spry as before, and his verticals have taken a steep nosedive. As such, his range of motion on defense is no longer as ample as it once was, making it highly difficult for him to cover a lot of ground as a paint protector and a rim deterrent.
The 76ers are shooting for the championship, and as much as their offense could reach historic levels, their defense has to be an equal point of emphasis. Teams are much smarter at exploiting the cracks in opposing defenses, and the 76ers definitely bore the brunt of that when the Knicks relentlessly hunted and schemed against Embiid on the defensive end during their last playoff slate.
Nick Nurse should seriously consider toning down on his aggressive approach on defense, which often leaves his big man on an island trying to cover multiple angles and a wider range. Embiid has become much more vulnerable when teams try to make him latch onto perimeter players, so the 76ers have to do a better job of preventing those instances and having their star patrol in the paint as much as possible.
This is one puzzle the 76ers have to solve if they want to win the title. Teams have already taken constructive notice of Joel Embiid no longer having the physical attributes of a real defensive savant. If they cannot adjust to that new reality, their journey to the championship this season could get abated much earlier.
