Joel Embiid has largely established himself as one of the top defensive players in the NBA over the 223 career games he’s appeared in. A member of the ALL-NBA Defensive Second Team in back to back seasons, Embiid’s an imposing force in the paint, and just good enough out on the perimeter to dissuade teams from devoting game plans to catch him there (the way we’ve seen some teams limit Rudy Gobert in the past). Embiid now has a mastery of the entire court he can see from his usual vantage point in the paint. He doesn’t block as many shots as he used to, but he’s earned the respect from every superstar in the game for his predatory-like rim patrol.
Joel Embiid may not block as many shots as he used to... but that’s a good thing
