Bulls’ Coach on Where Joel Embiid Doesn’t Get Enough Credit

Billy Donovan notes that Joel Embiid might be underrated in one area of the game.

For the third-straight season, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is in the NBA’s MVP race. As the big man continues to dominate on a nightly basis, Embiid is once again proving that he’s one of the NBA’s most dominant players.

In the eyes of Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, Embiid is a high-IQ player who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end.

“Really, really high IQ, he’s smart,” Donovan explained. “He really understands angles and gets fouled. I think Giannis is the only guy that gets to the free-throw line more than he does. He shoots threes, plays in the mid-range, and plays back to the basket. He always has a good awareness of how to get others involved and pass the basketball feel-wise.”

Although Embiid gets tons of credit from Donovan and other head coaches and players for the way he dominates on the floor, the Bulls’ head coach noted one area of Embiid’s game that might get overlooked at times.

“His offensive numbers this month have been absolutely off the charts, but I also think that he probably doesn’t get enough credit in terms of his defense,” Donovan added. “He really can protect the rim, can move his feet in pick and roll, can keep keep people in front. He’s a hard guy to finish over. He’s played really well this year.”

As he thrives to be one of the league’s best defenders, Embiid takes pride in the way he protects the paint. This season, the big man has averaged two blocks, one steal, and ten rebounds per game. 

One of Donovan’s players, who happens to be a former teammate of Embiid’s, agreed with the head coach’s sentiment regarding the Sixers’ big man.

“Everybody looks at him scoring 30 points a night and 11 rebounds a night, but no one talks about the two, three blocks he gets a game, too,” Andre Drummond said. “I think him being a defensive presence and anchor for this team is something that should be spoken about more despite his vast amount of points he gets, but I think his defensive presence is something that should have some light shedded on it.”

Embiid might not have the major accolades to show for right now, but his peers around the NBA clearly respect what he brings to the table. 

Perhaps, those who coach and play the game might influence the voters this time around as Embiid continues to strengthen his campaign night in and night out. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

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