In his most recent season of professional basketball with the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid averaged 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, and that’s not even taking into account the advanced metrics that are overwhelmingly flattering, as well. So, no one worth your time is going to suggest he has not been a magnificent basketball player.
What is he now, though? After two exhibition games in advance of the Olympic Games with USA Basketball’s senior men’s national team, the 12-man squad that will attempt to run the nation’s streak of gold medals to five in a row, Embiid has appeared out of shape and out of step with the others on the roster.
It still is early in the process, with another three opportunities to compete and nearly two weeks of practice before the July 28 Olympics opener against Serbia, but it is beginning to appear that if the U.S. does not win gold, the primary reason will be the decision to ride with Embiid as one of the team’s few true big men.
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He and the Lakers’ Anthony Davis are the only true centers the Americans chose to take to Paris 2024, with Bam Adebayo capable of filling that role as an undersized post player and possibly Kevin Durant, when he’s healthy enough to go, torturing opposing bigs by dragging them away from the goal.
Embiid started over Davis in both exhibition victories, including Monday’s 98-92 decision over Australia, and was dreadful in each one. While Davis rang up 17 points and 14 rebounds coming off the bench against the Boomers, Embiid scored 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting and provided essentially no rim protection. Aussie Jock Landale – a former All-American at Saint Mary’s – pulled down seven offensive rebounds and scored 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field.
“Joel is getting better and better every day,” USA head coach Steve Kerr told reporters afterward. “It usually takes big guys a little bit longer to get rhythm and flow. But I love Joel. He’s a dominant player.”
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Embiid played only 39 games this past season, as he was bothered by a knee injury that required surgery in February. He was able to return for the playoffs and did average 33 points in more than 40 minutes a game, but he converted fewer than 50 percent of his field goal attempts.
Embiid’s offer to join USA Basketball for these Olympics was in place before his 2023-24 was impacted so profoundly by injury, and it is valiant, on some level, for him to honor his decision to compete. But it also could be damaging to the American cause if the real Embiid is unable to appear in Paris.
Starting alongside LeBron James and Jayson Tatum in the frontcourt with Steph Curry and Anthony Edwards at guard, Embiid had a rough first quarter and only periodically produced bright moments as the game advanced.
At 6:29 of the first quarter, Landale slipped right past him when Boomers point guard Josh Giddey attempted a free throw, and Australia wound up with an offensive rebound and extra possession. Some 80 seconds later, Embiid posted Landale deep but couldn’t finish a layup.
In the second quarter, he accepted a pass in the mid-post and attempted a fadeway jumper that always was unlikely to connect. He soon was screened by Landale and could not prevent another Giddey attack on the rim.
The most vexing moment came at 5:05 out of the second quarter, when he failed to recognize a double-team and he was rejected by 6-10 Will Magnay. (Hey, Magnay does play for a pro team called the JackJumpers!) At 2:32, Magnay stole the basketball right out of Embiid’s hands.
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Embiid didn’t look effective in any coverage the U.S. chose to employ.
The Australian defense frequently chose to double-team Embiid on his interior touches, which Embiid’s many supporters have chosen to view as a sign of respect.
Given that Embiid reacted to that tactic by turning over the ball once for every 5 minutes he spent on the floor, it also might be an indication opposing coaches and defenders believe doubling Embiid will lead to him turning the ball over.
Through two exhibitions, Embiid has played 28 total minutes and committed seven total turnovers. Hey, at least he leads the team in something.
It’s not scoring (7.5 points per game), rebounding (5.5), blocks (none) or field goal percentage (.455).
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Embiid was not on the floor at the end, when Australia made its strongest push of the game and closed a 20-point deficit to as few as four, but that was part of the problem. He had not looked anything like the solution to the developing problem of Giddey scoring six of his 17 points inside the final seven minutes, all on layups or free throws, and Landale taking the same route to five points in an 18-6 Australia rally.
“I think it’s going to be important for us to figure out the best combinations and putting the right people together,” Kerr said. “And that’s still a work in progress.”
Whether Embiid can find his way back to combining well with anyone may be the team’s most significant issue.