The Philadelphia 76ers went into the 2024 offseason looking to build a roster that could contend for a championship. As the offseason ends, the Sixers have one of the most balanced rosters in the league. Additionally, it is all centered around Joel Embiid, who is one of the best players in the league. As a result of these changes, he will have to change his play style throughout the 2024-25 NBA regular season if he wants to take the Sixers to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Changes Joel Embiid Can Make To Take The 76ers To The Next Level
Sacrifice for Team Success
Throughout the summer, Embiid learned how to sacrifice individual success for the betterment of the team. While playing for Team USA men’s basketball during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Embiid had to adjust his game from being a star player to a role player. Throughout the summer, it was a mixed bag for him, but when it mattered the most, he made big plays to help Team USA win a gold medal.
Also, if Embiid can bring what he learned in Paris to Philadelphia, then the Sixers will be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and a legitimate championship contender. Embiid will have to continue to learn how to sacrifice and share the scoring and defensive load with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. If the three of them can build that trust and chemistry, then Philly will go as far as they take them.
Continue Improving His Playmaking Abilities
One of the biggest improvements Embiid made last season was improving his playmaking skills. Specifically, he became a better passer and averaged 5.6 assists per game. That was a new career-high for him, and if he can increase that number to seven or eight assists per game, then Philly will be one of the best offensive teams in the association, and a nightmare for opposing teams to game plan for.
In addition, continuing to improve as a passer will help him build chemistry and trust with his teammates. If role players see the best player on the team still improving his game, then they will work just as hard to take their game to the next level. That will help the Sixers get to the next level as a team and enter the title picture discussion.
Score Less and Share More
Embiid is one of the best scorers in the association, and he will have to learn how to score less and share more of the responsibility with his teammates. That is important as he will share the court with two All-Stars in George and an ascending Maxey. This is one of the best rosters he has been a part of in his Sixers tenure. Embiid will have to be happy with falling back and letting Maxey and George cook. If he can continue to let Maxey develop and help George adjust to playing in Philly, then the Sixers will be able to take that next leap from a good team to a title contender.
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