Joel Embiid's Decline and Why Trae Young Can Rebound

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Joel Embiid’s Decline Raises Concerns, While Trae Young Adjusts His Approach

Joel Embiid is averaging 17.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 37% from the field. He is also 4-for-33 from three-point range, despite outside shooting previously being one of his calling cards as a big man. He has played in 10 of 12 games, but his recent performances have been troubling.

Over his last three games, Embiid scored six points while shooting 0-for-9 at Cleveland, went 7-for-19 for 18 points against the Chicago Bulls and shot 2-for-9 against Boston. Those numbers are concerning for a player who usually needs the ball and has much of the offense run through him.

Embiid said on November 2 that he was giving up three-point shooting, and he is reportedly down to his rookie weight. Even so, he has struggled to move on the court. That is not what the Sixers want to see from a player they expected to experience a rejuvenation as the team pursues a deep playoff run in the East.

The central issue is Embiid’s lower-body strength. His knees and ankles have limited him, leaving him without the lift needed for his perimeter and elbow jump shots. He can no longer move the way he wants, and his numbers could continue to decline unless he operates closer to the basket.

Nick Nurse and LeBron James need to establish a clear role for Embiid: play within 10 feet of the basket, operate from the low block and use the elbow primarily to pass to cutters. The elbow jumper is no longer falling, and his three-point shot, which was already inconsistent, has stopped going in.

Trae Young has also struggled statistically, averaging 18.5 points and 8.7 assists through 11 games while shooting 39.3% from the field. However, his situation appears different from Embiid’s.

Young seems to be working out how to run his team while involving the players around him. He is looking for Georgia, trying to incorporate rookie AJ Debonsa and getting the ball to AD and Alex Sar before finding his own offense.

Young still shows his ability in bursts and does not appear to have lost a step. He simply does not look like the Atlanta version of Trae Young because he is no longer taking every shot he wants. He is trying to play point guard rather than operate solely as a volume scorer. His current statistics reflect that adjustment, but there is no reason yet to be worried about him.