Joel Embiid picked up right where he left off. The Sixers center dominated the season opener against the Knicks on Tuesday, posting a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds while adding three blocks and two steals in the win.
Embiid's performance showed the kind of two-way presence the Sixers need from their franchise player. He was active on both ends, controlling the paint defensively and rebounding effectively. Three blocks in a season opener signals his intentions for the year. He's targeting an All-Defensive season, and performances like this are the foundation for that.
The Knicks couldn't contain him. Embiid's versatility, size, and motor create problems that few centers can match. He wasn't asked to carry the offensive load, which actually speaks to the Sixers' system. They want him anchoring the defense and cleaning up the glass first, with scoring coming naturally from his position.
One game doesn't make a season, but when your best player shows up this way in game one, you like where things are heading. Embiid's commitment to All-Defensive honors gives the Sixers a clear identity. If he plays this way consistently, Philadelphia has a legitimate contender.