Joel Embiid has missed the last 8 games of the season and the Philadelphia 76ers haven’t missed a beat, in fact, they actually look better without Embiid in the lineup. The Sixers are riding a 16 game winning streak heading into the playoffs and it looks like the Sixers may never lose a game ever again.

This Sixers team is built on speed and it has been showing lately. Without Embiid this team is unstoppable in transition. Simmons at 3/4 speed is faster than a lot of guards out there, he is 6′ 10” need i remind you. The Brett Brown offense of constant movement off the ball and JJ/ Marco running off screens has made the Sixers very very tough to defend. Having Embiid in the middle doesn’t exactly restrict all the off ball movement but it definitely slows it down a bit. Don’t get me wrong, i love Embiid, he is a top player in the league but lately seeing this team constantly getting open shots off of cutting, screens and constant movement in the offense is raising the question… are we better without Embiid?

The lane being open is a big deal. Simmons can’t shoot, we know that, having Amir out on the perimeter for the sole purpose of just setting hard screens and Richaun running the pick and alley oop is a thing of beauty.  Most importantly it really has opened the lane for Simmons ect. to really excel.

Now, lets not get too crazy here. Embiid on the defense end is an elite talent. The Cavs huge comeback last week would not have happened with Embiid guarding the rim. We all know defense wins in the playoffs, so having Embiid in there protecting the rim and with our perimeter defense being as stellar as its been, is hard to argue against. I am not saying the Sixers are better without Embiid but it’s fun to actually put the question in your mind and try to make sense of it. Also, FYI…. The Sixers have not lost since Fultz has come back…….just food for thought. With that being said…… #trusttheprocess #bewareofmaskedEmbiid #heretheycome #queitup

-Wood