Im Still Ballin
04-13-2023, 09:42 PM
I've been thinking about this for some time. I'm not sure a center taking on such a large offensive burden is ideal for team success. Especially if that center has conditioning issues. Hear me out on this.
A center needs to excel and bring 100% effort on three things:
- Defense
- Rebounding
- Setting screens and finishing high-percentage plays in the paint
When Joel is tasked with being the offensive engine, it takes a lot of energy and expends significant resources. We're talking about a very high usage rate. 20+ shots per game plus all the passes and other scoring attempts that lead to free throws and don't count as field goal attempts.
That's a lot of responsibility on his part. Something has to give when a player takes on such a large offensive burden. It's always the defensive effort.
I feel like it's easier to get away with this if the player in question is not a center. LeBron and Kobe taking plays off to pace themselves is less catastrophic than Joel Embiid/Shaq doing the same. As mentioned earlier, the center has certain essential responsibilities. Key deliverables that are fundamental to team success.
Rebounding, defense, and rim running are the first things to go when Embiid's tired. He settles for jumpers; he takes plays off on defense. I think these issues rear their ugly head in the playoffs where there is less rest. Phil Jackson made it a point for Shaq to up his effort on the boards and playing defense.
Joel is going up against teams with certified high-quality roleplayers at center. Al Horford, Rob Williams, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Brook Lopez, etc. They can give 100% on defense, rebounding, and setting screens and finishing plays in the paint. They don't have to carry an offense.
That's the consequence of Joel Embiid taking on such an offensive burden. The opportunity cost. And I think it helps me understand why the wheels always fall off the wagon.
Can he win playing this way? Yes, but I think he'd be better off decreasing his scoring responsibilities and giving more on defense and rebounding.
What do you think?
A center needs to excel and bring 100% effort on three things:
- Defense
- Rebounding
- Setting screens and finishing high-percentage plays in the paint
When Joel is tasked with being the offensive engine, it takes a lot of energy and expends significant resources. We're talking about a very high usage rate. 20+ shots per game plus all the passes and other scoring attempts that lead to free throws and don't count as field goal attempts.
That's a lot of responsibility on his part. Something has to give when a player takes on such a large offensive burden. It's always the defensive effort.
I feel like it's easier to get away with this if the player in question is not a center. LeBron and Kobe taking plays off to pace themselves is less catastrophic than Joel Embiid/Shaq doing the same. As mentioned earlier, the center has certain essential responsibilities. Key deliverables that are fundamental to team success.
Rebounding, defense, and rim running are the first things to go when Embiid's tired. He settles for jumpers; he takes plays off on defense. I think these issues rear their ugly head in the playoffs where there is less rest. Phil Jackson made it a point for Shaq to up his effort on the boards and playing defense.
Joel is going up against teams with certified high-quality roleplayers at center. Al Horford, Rob Williams, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Brook Lopez, etc. They can give 100% on defense, rebounding, and setting screens and finishing plays in the paint. They don't have to carry an offense.
That's the consequence of Joel Embiid taking on such an offensive burden. The opportunity cost. And I think it helps me understand why the wheels always fall off the wagon.
Can he win playing this way? Yes, but I think he'd be better off decreasing his scoring responsibilities and giving more on defense and rebounding.
What do you think?