Notable difference in Philadelphia 76ers’ use of Joel Embiid

While it’s just 6 weeks into the season, it appears the Philadelphia 76ers have a steadfast plan in their use of All-Star center Joel Embiid.

When they signed five-time All-Star Al Horford as a free agent last summer, the Philadelphia 76ers knew they were receiving a much-needed reinforcement in the frontcourt, primarily to assist center Joel Embiid.

Given the disastrous manner in which the Sixers performed when Embiid’s backups were on the floor during the 2019 postseason, the need for a far more competent and reliable performer to assist Embiid moving forward was without doubt at the top of the Sixers’ wish list last offseason.

But instead of bringing in a standard backup, the Sixers changed course and signed the highly versatile Horford, who not only possesses the ability to start alongside Embiid at the 4 spot, but is also to fill in at center when Embiid is taking a rest.

It’s that rest component for Embiid that’s bound to be one of the most vital reasons for making the Horford acquisition. Given the recurring knee tendinitis that flared during last season’s playoffs and the highly likely ongoing management required for this condition, providing Embiid with a reduced workload moving forward is simply essential.

And so far, this appears to be the case. Through his opening 17 games of the 2018-19 season, Embiid averaged 34.6 minutes per game, which included five games of at least 37 minutes. Fast forward to this season and through his first 17 games of the season, Embiid is averaging 30.1 minutes per contest, eclipsing the 37-minute mark just once thus far.

So while the presence of Horford has assisted in the reduction of his workload, the Sixers’ early record and sheer dominance in many of these games has enabled Embiid to take his foot off the pedal through the early stages of this season.

Through Embiid’s first 17 games in 2018-19, the Sixers had posted a 10-7 record, with just four of those wins by a double-figure margin. Notably, Embiid played in every fourth quarter, playing at least 10 minutes in five games during this stretch.

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This season, however, has been a different story. First, Embiid has already missed four games, one through a minor injury, one for rest and two due to a suspension from an in-game fight with Karl-Anthony Towns.

However, through the first 17 games he has played, he’s avoided playing in two final quarters completely due to the Sixers’ domination and a third due to the ejection that led to his subsequent suspension. Furthermore, he’s played at least 10 minutes just twice this season in the final quarter.

Moving forward, it’s too difficult to predict just how Embiid is going to be utilized. With seven of their 21 games thus far played against teams with records below .500, the Sixers schedule is bound to get tougher. With nine of their remaining 15 games for the month of December against teams that are currently above .500, monitoring the use of Embiid is truly fascinating.

Considering the schedule facing them for the remainder of the calendar year, finding a balance of striving for regular-season wins, while also keeping on top of the overall load placed on their All-Star center, could be the ultimate difference come the end of the season for the Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid.