He was some amalgamation of Wilt Chamberlain and Ivan Drago, breaking scoring data and opposing spirits, standing 7 toes tall and pushing 300 kilos, seemingly intent on choosing a battle with anybody in orange and blue.
Joel Embiid was the reigning MVP when the 76ers and Knicks met within the 2024 playoffs, nearly singlehandedly reigniting a rivalry that had been dormant for many years by dropping a 50-bomb and delivering low-cost photographs, whereas inspiring profanity-laced chants at Madison Sq. Backyard. The six-game sequence was a tantalizing appetizer of the feud that ought to be, of the villain Gotham craves.
But it surely wasn’t till Saturday evening that Embiid lastly made his first look on the Backyard since that heated postseason battle, ending with 26 factors (9-of-15 capturing from the sector), 10 rebounds and 5 assists within the 76ers’ 130-119 win over the Knicks.
“I like being right here. It’s my favourite place in the whole world,” Embiid stated. “It’s at all times good to be right here, speak again to the followers. They have been quiet as we speak. I suppose that’s what occurs once you’re shedding the entire recreation. I had enjoyable going back-and-forth with them. Generally, it’s good to be favored. Generally, it’s good to be hated.”
On a group now outlined by a brand new famous person (Tyrese Maxey) and one of many league’s most fun rookies (VJ Edgecombe) — who mixed for 62 factors — solely Embiid tapped into the wrath of the group, who booed the large man each time he touched the ball and screamed as he repeatedly baited Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Cities into fouls.
After spending the higher a part of the previous few seasons managing lower-body accidents, Embiid once more resembled one of many sport’s most original and dominant abilities, creating infinite choices out of the high-post, the place he blew previous 1-on-1 matchups and located teammates who provide extra help than ever.
After averaging 18.2 factors and 5.6 rebounds on 40.7 p.c from the sector in his first 9 video games of the season, Embiid put up 29.2 factors (47.9 p.c capturing from the sector), 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in his earlier six video games earlier than Saturday.
Embiid has performed no less than half-hour in eight consecutive appearances, whereas the 76ers (19-14) have received three straight video games. He had been restricted to a complete of 58 video games previously two seasons and missed 17 video games this season — together with the 76ers’ Dec. 19 win in New York.
In Saturday’s last minute, Embiid was rewarded for cherry choosing as he threw down his first dunk of the season, prompting the 31-year-old to run down the court docket together with his arms raised in triumph and his smile stretching to Seventh Avenue, like a child who received a carnival prize.
“It’s a fairly low-cost approach of getting it, however no less than we all know he can nonetheless dunk it,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated.
As soon as once more, Embiid has raised the 76ers’ ceiling.
The rivalry, too.
“It’s good to play a superb group,” Embiid stated. “I’m certain you guys most likely suppose they’re the favourite to win the East this 12 months, so I suppose [we did] fairly good.”
