Article Summary:

1. The majesty of Joel Embiid’s defense

Embiid would be a long shot right now to appear on Defensive Player of the Year or Most Valuable Player ballots.

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2 Related

Like Gobert, Embiid is a one-man defensive architecture – with a more telegenic appetite for gladiatorial confrontation. Opponents are shooting 7.7% worse around the basket when Embiid plays, per Cleaning The Glass.

As has long been the case with the Jazz and Gobert, the Sixers allow fewer 3s and shots at the rim with Embiid on the floor – and many more long 2s. With Gobert and Embiid barricading the rim, other defenders stick to shooters.

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