Team USA has struggled in the paint at times in recent international competitions and Steve Kerr, the American coach, does not want that to happen again.
The Warriors' usual technician explained to the media present in Las Vegas for the training camp of the reigning Olympic champions the role he expects in particular from Joel Embiid.
Integrated into training on Monday in the five that could start in Paris with Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards (while Kevin Durant is rested due to a calf problem), the Sixers pivot is expected by his coach to be a real anchor point near the circle.
Rather accustomed in Philadelphia to playing frequently in front of the basket, high post, the 2023 MVP will have to transform into a more “traditional” pivot with a view to the Olympic Games. Joel is a great passer in the low post, and he's a dominant scorer in that area. ” recalls Steve Kerr. ” The difference for him will be that he's going to be asked to be more under the rim than he is in the NBA. He spends a lot of time at the free-throw line and he's good at it. He'll have the ball there, too. But his physical qualities and his ability to score near the basket in FIBA play will be very important to us. »
Joel Embiid assures that it “doesn't change anything” for him
Joel Embiid should thus bring a greater interior danger compared to what the United States has experienced during its last major events: Bobby Portis and Walker Kessler at the 2023 World Cup, Bam Adebayo and JaVale McGee at the Tokyo Olympics, or even the trio Brook Lopez – Myles Turner – Mason Plumlee for the 2019 World Cup… Team USA did not have in its ranks a real regular contribution in low post points.
It is now up to Joel Embiid to fill this role, tailor-made despite some adjustments to his game. Nothing changes ” he however brushed it off. ” I will always be dominant, as much as I have always been. »
For this, the pivot assures that his state of health and his various knee problems this season are behind him. I feel good » he cried. ” I just have to slowly ramp it up. »
| Joel Embiid | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 31 | 25 | 46.6 | 36.7 | 78.3 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 20.2 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 63 | 30 | 48.3 | 30.8 | 76.9 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 22.9 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 64 | 34 | 48.4 | 30.0 | 80.4 | 2.5 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 27.5 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 51 | 30 | 47.7 | 33.1 | 80.7 | 2.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 23.0 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 51 | 31 | 51.3 | 37.7 | 85.9 | 2.2 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 28.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHL | 68 | 34 | 49.9 | 37.1 | 81.4 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 30.6 |
| 2022-23 ★ | PHL | 66 | 35 | 54.8 | 33.0 | 85.7 | 1.7 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 33.1 |
| 2023-24 | PHL | 39 | 34 | 52.9 | 38.8 | 88.3 | 2.4 | 8.6 | 11.0 | 5.6 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 34.7 |
| Total | 433 | 32 | 50.4 | 34.1 | 82.6 | 2.2 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 27.9 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
