Joel Embiid is taking too many deep shots, and it is hurting the Philadelphia 76ers right now. The team has a 6-1 record, but the star center is playing a style that does not fit the roster. The Sixer Sense reports that Embiid has missed his last 10 attempts from 3-point range. The team is on a cold streak as it pursues a championship.
Embiid is shooting 14.3 percent from deep this season despite a career‑high 4.2 attempts per game. That is a terrible rate for a player who used to dominate in the paint. The Sixers have many other stars like Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James who can shoot from outside. They do not need their center to force these low-percentage looks. The roster is built for Embiid to attack the rim instead of settling for long jumpers.
A Shift That Hurts The Team
Embiid used to be an immovable object in the paint who bullied defenders. Relentless injuries seem to have changed his trust in his body, leading to this new habit. According to The Sixer Sense, he repeatedly falls into the frustrating habit of taking deep shots rather than attacking the interior. This shift is clear, but it cannot continue if the 76ers want true success. The team is more effective when he gets to his spots in the paint where he is a deadly threat.
The recent win over the New York Knicks showed the issue clearly. Embiid attempted four shots from beyond the arc in that game and did not score a single one. The 76ers won 98-93, but that victory masked the inefficiency. In the modern NBA, teams want centers who can stretch the floor, but the 76ers do not need this right now. They have an abundance of efficient shooters around him who can drain open shots without needing Embiid to take bad ones.
Why The Paint Is The Only Way
Embiid has devastated many teams with his mid-range jump shot and his presence under the basket. The team has raced to a 6-1 record with Embiid playing a crucial role, but the style of play must adjust. While his playmaking leap benefits the 76ers, his shooting choices are dragging down the offense.
He is usually a better shooter than he is showing, yet the team does not need him to force these attempts. When the Kansas alum reached his spots in the paint, the 76ers were more effective.
