Don’t Mean to Rain on Joel Embiid, But Scoring 70 Points Isn’t Getting the Sixers Out of the Second Round
Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid put on a sensational performance on Monday night, scoring a whopping 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs. The achievement caught the attention of fellow NBA star Kevin Durant, who expressed his admiration during a postgame press conference. While Embiid’s scoring outburst marked a new career high for him, it’s not exactly what fans in Philadelphia are desperately hoping for.
The city of Philadelphia is hungry for another NBA Championship banner. Making it to the Eastern Conference Finals would be a satisfying achievement at this point. Embiid already secured the MVP title last season, so now the focus is on advancing in the playoffs. Scoring 70 points in an NBA game is undoubtedly an impressive feat, but it’s important to remember that we are currently living in an era of prolific scoring.
In today’s NBA, it seems like someone is dropping 40 points every night and reaching the 50-point mark every other night. So while Embiid’s 70-point game is undoubtedly impressive, it’s not entirely unprecedented. Players like Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard accomplished similar scoring feats last season. This is not to diminish their achievements, but rather to highlight that Embiid is now being measured by more than just individual accomplishments.
Embiid carries the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. He is expected to perform not just in January, but also in May and, hopefully, June. Simply scoring a ton of points is no longer enough for him. However, it’s worth noting that the league itself has played a role in facilitating these high-scoring performances. Since 2017, we have seen five players score 70 or more points in a game. In comparison, up until 2006, only four players had achieved that feat (with Wilt Chamberlain accomplishing it six times).
The NBA has embraced and encouraged high-scoring games, making rule changes and adjustments to favor offensive play. As a result, these types of scoring outputs have become more frequent. While Embiid’s 70-point game is remarkable, it’s also a reflection of the league’s direction.
As a superstar player, Embiid is expected to win championships or at least contend for them. Durant, who was impressed by Embiid’s performance, has multiple rings, Finals MVPs, and a league MVP award on his resume. The next step for Embiid and the Sixers is to get past the second round of the playoffs, which would be a significant accomplishment. Ultimately, the team’s success will be determined by how far Embiid can lead them in the postseason.
Scoring 70 points in a game is undoubtedly an incredible achievement, but for Embiid and the Sixers, the ultimate goal is to bring home an NBA Championship. It’s not just about individual accolades; it’s about the team’s success and cementing a legacy in Philadelphia. So while Embiid’s scoring prowess is impressive, it’s important to keep in mind that there are bigger aspirations for him and his team.
