Mikal: 15/4/3 on 65% shooting
Maxey: 18/5/3 on 43% shooting
Obviously Knicks focused more attention on Maxey than the Sixers did on bridges, so there’s context that needs to be considered, but Mikal was the primary defender on Maxey.
In the recent “ten good minutes” on YouTube, Ryen describes Embiid’s game starting at around the 18 minute mark. It’s the only time I’ve ever heard an nba media member describe what they’re actually seeing on the court as opposed to sugar coating it to protect the player and his fans. Everyone else pretends that Embiid draws a lot of fouls because he’s strong and skilled and driving to the rim and the only way to guard him is to foul him, like Shaq or something. It makes me feel like I’m taking crazy pills. Ryen points out that Embiid has no intention of actually scoring on any of the fouls he drew, but is instead just foul baiting. He also points out that this ultimately throws off the rhythm of his own teammates.
Good to have someone out there who isn’t afraid to hurt some feelings to describe the truth.
By this Saturday, Embiid could begin to rewrite the narrative after a lifetime of coming up short. I truly hope he is able to do it.