The Nets Kryptonite: Joel Embiid
The Sixers will face the Brooklyn Nets in tonight in South Philadelphia. The game will be under the national spotlight on ESPN. First place in the Eastern Conference is on the line. Yesterday, we had Ben Simmons on ESPN’s The Jump talking to Rachel Nichols. Ben beamed with confidence, talking with Nichols on his chances of winning DPOY and how the Brooklyn Nets need to play defense. Simmons was quick to note that there is, in fact, only one basketball on the court, when talking about the Nets’ high-powered offense.
Joel Embiid was recently quoted saying that people should be worried about the Lakers, not the 76ers. The Lakers are defending champions and have something to prove by returning to the finals. Embiid also said that Brooklyn is apparently the “team to beat” in the Eastern Conference, so pressure is on them as well. ESPN also ran a promo stating that Joel Embiid could be the Nets’ kryptonite. I couldn’t agree more.
As the regular season comes to a close and the Sixers are locked in a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference, it’s refreshing to see news on the national level about the Sixers remaining somewhat positive. After the last 4-5 years of criticism about the Sixers and more specifically Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, they are finally getting the respect and coverage they deserve. The duo are handling the spotlight with professionalism and class every step of the way.
See you tonight for Sixers-Nets action at the Wells Fargo Center.
