The dominance of Joel Embiid has the 76ers in title contention

The Philadelphia 76ers came up just short of their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2001 due to an unfathomable bounce on the rim from a Kawhi Leonard prayer.

Joel Embiid exited through the tunnel showing pure sadness and emotion. It was an unprecedented situation for the special, unparalleled talent that he is.

Since then, Embiid, with his already lovable act and play, has become one of basketball’s best players, averaging about 27 points per game.

This is not the first time Embiid has a chance to win MVP, as the five-time All-Star had a legitimate chance to last season, had he not gotten injured. Yet again, he has taken his game to another level while putting the 76ers on his back.

"“At times, whenever I want, I’m able to be Shaq. Whenever I want, I am also able to be Dirk or Kobe or MJ or any guards, really. Meaning, shooting off the dribble or pull-ups or ball-handling, just a combination of everything offensively. I was okay tonight.” – Embiid following his 50-point, 12-rebound, and three-block outing (while only missing six shots) on Jan. 19."

He has backed up those words at every turn.

The dominance of Joel Embiid has the 76ers in title contention

Without a floor general or elite ball-handler to find others in transition (like Ben Simmons), Joel Embiid has had the green light to display his all-around uniqueness.

The 27-year-old has been free to bring up the ball and play some point-five. He has been averaging almost six assists in his last five games to go along with his 36 points and 12 rebounds on 52 percent shooting.

On the season, The Process is now second in the league in points per game with 29.1. He grabs almost 11 boards and drops four dimes per contest.

Embiid’s start to 2022 has been completely off the charts, to the point where it is hard to pinpoint an outing where he scored less than 30. There have only been two since prior to Christmas.

"“He is Shaq with footwork and touch,” said teammate Danny Green. “We have never seen a big man with guard skills like him.”"

Each and every game, Embiid continues to prove just that.

In his last 15, he is putting up 34 points on 53 percent from the field and 33 percent from outside with 10 rebounds and close to five assists.

As he is a three-time All-Defensive second-teamer, Embiid came into the league already as an elite defender. The opportunity has always been there for Joel to have Hakeem Olajuwon-type skills with his footwork and inside game.

Embiid’s dominance has evolved way beyond that, as he continues to grow and shed those durability issues, which appeared to have plagued a lot of his early potential. The Process has been backing up all of his talk, as Philly has won eight of their last 10.

76ers president Daryl Morey addressed his team’s elite play and being carried by their MVP following the game against Orlando, amongst controversy surrounding some other drama in Philadelphia.

"“You just gotta realize that we are in a special time and we all do,” he said. “Take a step back and just, ‘say we’re all seeing greatness in a person who is a great person as well.'”"

There is a ton of urgency to bring a title to the city of Philadelphia, with or without a deal this season.

"“The best way to get a sense is to look at NBA history,” Morey said. “It has happened that someone playing as well as Embiid has won the title. I do absolutely believe that this team even without any changes has a chance.”"

Later in the interview, Morey mentioned how, with Embiid’s play, the team would be more open to deals. The 76ers GM was not shy to state how the organization is continuously pursuing improvement, even with them already being in title contention.

"“It is not as good as a chance that any of us want,” he said. “At the end of the day, for sure we have a chance. You could literally go to Vegas and bet on it right now. It is a real chance.”"

Morey also foreshadowed the 76ers’ likely future transactions.

"“We want to, for Joel, we have to make sure we get this right and that we move ourselves into a higher-tier of championship, ability to win the championship,” he said. “Not just nudge ourselves from having the seventh-best chance to maybe the sixth-best chance in the league. It just does not make sense.”"

Simmons or no Simmons, Joel Embiid has piggy-backed the Philadelphia 76ers all season long. And with the way he’s been playing, there’s no reason they can’t contend for an NBA championship as soon as this season.