TTP all day every day. There are so many things to like about Joel Embiid right now, and I know that I’ve covered him probably more than anyone else in this column. We always get caught up in his offense, but Embiid’s defense has been truly outstanding lately. Not only is he now ranked third in the NBA for blocks per game with 2.43 in just 25.3 minutes per outing, he has a fantastic 93.6 defensive rating in his eight games played. He’s one of a handful of bigs capable of guarding both smalls and bigs on the perimeter. He’s always baiting guards into shot he’ll eventually block and has done so about once per game. This was from Monday and was called a goaltend:
It’s hard to believe how he’s arguably the best rim protector in the Eastern Conference and he’s only a rookie.
OK, we do have to talk about his offense, right? In the last two games, he’s gone to the line 32 times in just 56 minutes. Yeah, that’s right. He’s basically get a free throw every two minutes he’s out there, which is just crazy talk.
Embiid was leading the in 3-point percentage back in early November, but the regression has caught up to him lately. On the other hand, he’s really being aggressive and the threat of his trey has made him arguably the best pump-faker in the NBA. This is a great one:
I could seriously write about this guy every day. We’re going to enjoy The Process. He’s already the best center in the Eastern Conference. Here’s another pump fake:
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How awesome is Nikola Jokic? He is coming off a career-high 30 points in Monday and the Nuggets are just coasting as an offense. In his last 14 games, Jokic has an absurd 120.4 offensive rating at a 99.1 pace. Look at his shot chart in that span:
Bruh! He has a 72.1 true shooting percentage with a 24.9 usage rate in that span, which doesn’t even make sense from a big man. Plus, he has a million terrific passes in the last week or so. Here is one:
If he can avoid foul trouble, he might be able to put up top-20 value — just like we said back in August.
Oh hey another one of our favorites! Giannis Antetokounmpo is just ridiculous lately. Here is his shot chart in his last nine games:
That’s a lot of shots at the rim with those accounting for 56.5 percent of his total. Antetokounmpo is still way above league average on the midrange with 57.1 percent made from there, which has made him arguably the toughest player to guard in the NBA. I mean, look at this last step from Sunday!
Yeah, that’s like half the lane right there. I’d bet Giannis never lost Twister as a kid. We really aren’t ready for what Giannis will bring to the table. He might be the No. 1 player in Dynasty drafts right now.
Just quickly on the Warriors, they now have a 60.2 true shooting percentage on the season. That is ridiculous.
Can we talk about how wonderful Kyle Lowry is? Here is his shot chart since Thanksgiving:
What? That’s good for a 72.7 true shooting percentage, which I don’t even understand to be honest. He’s also leading the Eastern Conference in real plus-minus. He’s leading the NBA in real plus-minus wins, as well. Kyle Lowry Over Everything (via ESPN):
I love Isaiah Thomas. I really do and I think he’s the second-best guard in the Eastern Conference. The bad part is he is dead last in the NBA for defensive real plus minus. This isn’t good.
On the other hand, he’s been fantastic on the offensive end, especially late. Check out his shot chart in the fourth over his last 15:
Uhh, what? That’s good for a 76.0 true shooting percentage. That’s also a big reason why he’s been a first-round value in that span. Pizza Guy, y’all.
