As the face of the Sixers franchise, a lot of Philadelphia fans’ pride rides on their 7ft center’s shoulders. Until now, Joel Embiid has proven he can carry the team. Knowing how ‘passionate’ Philadelphia fans can be when their team is losing, Embiid’s loyalty to the franchise is commendable.
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Well, in all honesty, Joel Embiid is an excellent player. He is the kind of center who is so willing to dominate that he would do anything in his ability to do so. Mostly, that involves Embiid outscoring every opponent.
In his recent matchup against the Clippers, Joel Embiid clearly displayed this ability. Usually, such brilliance is cause for fearlessness. However, during the press conference, despite his excellent scoring, he revealed there was one player who still scared him.
Joel Embiid compared Kawhi Leonard to Michael Jordan
During the game, Joel and Kawhi were both troublesome for the opponents. The Sixers’ center dropped 44 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for his team. On the other hand, Kawhi Leonard contributed 28 points and 5 assists.
After the game, Embiid gracefully credited the Clippers for being an excellent squad. He acknowledged their efficiency during the playoffs and how Kawhi Leonard was capable of turning into Michael Jordan at will.
Kyle Neubeck, Staff writer for the PhillyVoice reported:
“Embiid called this a big time win for the Sixers, showed a lot of respect for the Clippers and their pedigree. Says having played Kawhi in the playoffs, he knows what he level he can get to: “He just turns into freaking Michael Jordan”
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) December 24, 2022
Joel Embiid’s praise for the Clippers despite Philadelphia’s win clearly highlights how good the newest LA franchise can be.
James Harden was the difference maker
The Clippers vs Sixers game was as interesting as a game can be. Both teams were itching to win. The Clippers, despite giving their all, fell just a little short.
Kawhi, Paul George, and Norman Powell almost stole the game from the Eastern Conference team with their 20+ point performances. However, James Harden and Joel Embiid weren’t going to let that happen.
While Embiid’s 44 points were crucial, it was James Harden who was much more of a difference-maker in the game. The former Nets guard registered an unbelievable triple-double. He registered 20 points, 21 assists, and 11 rebounds to guide his team to victory.