Nikola Vucevic talks about the difficulty of guarding Joel Embiid

Vooch had his hands full guarding the league’s reigning MVP, Joel Embiid.

© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers' big man Joel Embiid is the NBA’s reigning MVP for a reason. A dominant force on both ends of the floor, he presents a formidable challenge for anyone playing against him. 

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic knows precisely what it’s like trying to cover Embiid. In an interview after their 108-104 win on Monday night, he could only joke about the task's difficulty, saying, “It’s very easy, you know…”

Difficult cover

A legit 7-footer with a huge wingspan, Embiid routinely causes fits for any defender. Whether he’s muscling his way inside or stretching the defense on the perimeter, he’s a nightmare for opposing big men. Averaging 34.2 points and 11.7 rebounds this season, Embiid posed an especially tricky task for Vucevic, who isn’t known for his defense.

As a result, Embiid finished the game with 40 points, 14 rebounds, and six rebounds, extending his streak of at least 30 points and 10 rebounds to 12 games.

“It’s tough, especially when he gets it going like he did (Monday),” Vucevic said.

“The mid-range, the three. It’s hard. And then if you try and close out a little harder to him he’s really good off that first step, and if he catches you, it’s hard to get back in front because he’s so strong. Tough matchup. We tried to do our best. Some plays at the end, we did a much better job.”

CLEAR THE WAY, BIG FELLA COMING THROUGH. pic.twitter.com/NTg74HlSMC

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 19, 2023

Great defensive stop

The play at the end that Vucevic referred to was the defensive stop the Bulls had with the Bulls ahead by two, 106-104, with 16 seconds left in the game. Off a timeout, the Sixers called for a pick-and-roll between Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey. Upon receiving the ball, Embiid tried to go for a floater, but the ball slipped and was eventually corralled by Bulls wingman DeMar DeRozan, who sank two free-throws to ice the game.

“I thought we got to a good set,” Embiid said of that play.

“We got a pretty good shot out of it. The ball just slipped out of my hands. If I had to do it again, I would’ve probably just gone with my shot — stepped back and taken that short jumper, like I’ve always done. But I tried to go to the floater, and the ball just slipped out. It happens. The spacing could’ve been better, too, but good execution, and I just missed it.”

THAT'S HOW YOU DEFEND THE MVP pic.twitter.com/LZfgqyRTTC

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) December 19, 2023