Sixers’ Joel Embiid: ‘I believe I can carry the team’
Embiid, who averages nearly 24 points this season, said his leading role on the 76ers should not even be a question.
Joel Embiid was asked Tuesday what he wants in terms of his role in 76ers’ offense during the NBA restart at Walt Disney World.
The three-time All-Star, who’s arguably the NBA’s best center, said that “should not even be a question.”
“I know what I’m capable of, and I know what my teammates think of me,” Embiid said during a Zoom call with the media. “I know I’m capable of carrying the team, so it’s all about me being assertive. If I feel like I’m not getting the ball, I just got to talk to them and do what I have to do.
“But at the end of the day, I should never be in a position to complain about getting the ball, just because of who I am. I believe I can carry the team, and I believe being able to do that, I just got to take matters into my own hands.”
Embiid is averaging 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game while playing 44 games this season. He had a career-high 49 points against the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 24.
Embiid suffered a game-ending left shoulder sprain early in the following game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. That injury sidelined him the Sixers’ next five games. In his return, he had 30 points and 14 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.
Embiid has scored 30 or more points 10 times this season. He also has 34 double-doubles.