Willie Green, Pelicans give their respect to Sixers star Joel Embiid
These days, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is earning the respect of everybody around the league as he has been putting on big performance after big performance in order to lift his team to victories.
He did so again on Tuesday when he had 42 points and 14 rebounds as he lifted Philadelphia to a 117-107 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The big fella shot 12-for-24 from the floor and he knocked down 18 of his 20 free throws as the Pelicans had no answer for him.
Before the game, Pelicans coach Willie Green tried to come up with a game plan on how to stop Embiid.
“Don’t let him touch the ball,” Green laughed. “No, he’s been on a tear lately. He’s an MVP candidate the way he’s been playing this season, he’s healthy, he’s in shape, he’s carrying the team, he’s a load. We gotta send multiple guys at him, like most teams have tried to do, but he’s seen it all.”
Green had his shorthanded team playing hard as they were missing four of their five starters as well as the continued absence of Zion Williamson. They were able to even take a double-digit lead in the first half thanks to the play of Willy Hernangomez who had 29 points of his own having to defend Embiid.
“As a player, you always try to challenge yourself because you wanna play the best players every night,” said Hernangomez. “Today (Tuesday), same as yesterday, I was watching all of the feed of Embiid. I would always like to play against him. He’s one of the best centers in the league, if not the best. I was taught to be aggressive, make him work on the defensive side, and then try to attack him as well, you know he’s gotta guard me as well.”
Hernangomez tried to tire Embiid out, but he ended up exhausting himself trying to defend the big fella while also providing some needed offense for New Orleans.
“I tried to do my best, honestly,” he added. “I’m exhausted and he still got 40, but he’s a one-of-a-kind player. It’s always a pleasure to play against him. I learn in many ways and he gave me confidence as well. If I say, ‘I can do that against Embiid why not against the next body?’ So, I’m just ready for the next game.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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