The Philadelphia 76ers must improve minus Joel Embiid

Having dealt away two lottery picks within the past 10 months, the Philadelphia 76ers must demonstrate that they can survive without Joel Embiid.

Following their most recent loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Philadelphia 76ers are now 1-5 on the season without the services of center Joel Embiid.

While “The Process” has brought about much hope and optimism for the rabid Sixers’ fanbase, the performance of their team minus Embiid continues to raise eyebrows.

In addition to Embiid, 2016 No. 1 overall pick, Ben Simmons, has excelled in his debut season after being sidelined for the entirety of last season due to injury. However, the returns of a couple of the Sixers’ other recent high-end picks continues to impact their prospects for the short- and long-term.

Nerlens Noel, selected No. 6 overall in 2013, and Jahlil Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick in 2015, have both been jettisoned this calendar year following the sheer impact and presence of Embiid. Both natural centers, Noel and Okafor were deemed expendable following Embiid’s sudden impact over the course of last season.

However, despite both being highly coveted on draft night, the Sixers received very little for this frontcourt duo. In terms of on-court presence, the only current compensation for the Noel and Okafor deals come in the form of swingman Justin Anderson and veteran Trevor Booker. While each offers his own unique skill-set, they are unlikely to feature in the coming years when the Sixers are presumably climbing up the Eastern Conference standings.

The difference between the Sixers’ performance with Embiid on and off the court this season has been drastic:

• Offensive Rating (Embiid on court): 107.2
• Offensive Rating (Embiid off court): 101.3
• Defensive Rating (Embiid on court): 99.9
• Defensive Rating (Embiid off court): 108.5

In summary, the Sixers are essentially the best defensive team in the league with Embiid on the floor, and close to the worst in the league when he is resting. During their six games without Embiid, the Sixers have given up 114.3 points per game, well up on their season average of 109.6.

It’s a similar story on the offensive end of the floor, where the Sixers are currently a top-10 offense with Embiid playing, and a bottom-four offense when he is off the floor.

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While Embiid’s offensive game is transcendent with his ability to score from virtually anywhere on the court, it’s the immeasurable presence he offers on the defensive end that sets the Sixers apart. What is most remarkable about this is the fact that Embiid has played in just 54 career games to date.

However, his absence certainly brings into question the defensive capabilities of some of his teammates. The most notable of these is forward Dario Saric, who thus far this season has recorded a defensive rating of 113.2 when Embiid has been off the floor.

With a record of 14-15 and currently placed 10th in Eastern Conference, the Sixers are still miles ahead of where they’ve been over the past four seasons. But in order for them to take the next step, the Sixers need to be mindful of Embiid’s injury history, and the fact that he is likely to be rested on a semi-regular basis.

While replacing the 23-year-old’s presence on the court is a near impossibility, lifting their rate of production when the Cameroon native is off the court is going to be crucial as the Sixers attempt to make a postseason run.

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So while the team has clearly not delivered in the absence of their man in the middle, there is still ample time left in the current season for them to right the ship.