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Joel Embiid emphasizes the importance of roster continuity for the Sixers, especially during the playoffs against the Celtics. He highlights his improved chemistry with teammates like Kelly Oubre Jr. despite some inefficiencies in their recent game.
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PHILADELPHIA -- It's important to have continuity in today's NBA. It doesn't matter how much talent a team has, but when there is constant roster turnover, then it makes life tough for everybody on the roster.
Joel Embiid has stated in the past that he would like some continuity with the roster around him and he seems to be enjoying it in this Round 1 playoff series with the Boston Celtics. Whenever the Celtics have sent doubles, Embiid has picked them apart and found his teammates in the right spots every time.
One example was a Kelly Oubre Jr. slam when he cut baseline off a Boston double. Embiid threw a behind-the-back pass to Oubre as it felt like the big fella just knew where his teammate was.
"It helps when you got the same trainer," Embiid said of his chemistry with Oubre. "So, the way I see the game, or the way I communicate to him or Drew (Hanlen) sending film so he knows what Iâm talking about, but itâs easy. They double. Just cut and I still feel like we didnât make them pay tonight. I wasnât efficient, and then on the kickouts, we barely made shots, but weâre gonna do a better job and actually make them next game."
Oubre has been in Philadelphia for three seasons now, which is a big help in terms of building chemistry within the roster. Even Paul George, in his second season in Philadelphia, has been enjoying success next to Embiid. After a disastrous 2024-25 season, one would not have blamed the Sixers if they decided to pull the plug on the George experiment in Philadelphia, but they stayed patient and it's paying off right now with that continuity.
"I think thatâs been the key for me," Embiid stated. "I mentioned it so many times. Weâve had a lot of roster turnover over the years. We got a team, doesnât work once, and we decide to start over. So, obviously, Iâve been with Tyrese for a little bit now, so we have that connection. So, we know what to do in every situation. Kelly has been here, PG has been great, so I think, especially, in these moments, we made our run to start the third, just being calm and knowing what to do each time."
Embiid believes that continuity helps improve team chemistry and performance, especially in high-pressure situations like the playoffs.
Embiid's chemistry with Oubre has allowed him to effectively find Oubre for scoring opportunities, as seen in their recent playoff game against the Celtics.
Embiid acknowledged that while they struggled with efficiency and shot-making, he is confident they will improve in their next game.
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The return of Embiid was, of course, a big help for Philadelphia, but the chemistry the Sixers have built around him is a big help going forward. It allows the team to have something to fall back on and it leads to fun on the floor as they look to rally from down 3-1 in Game 7 on Saturday.
"Going into Boston is gonna be tough as always, but itâs a fun crowd," Embiid finished. "Itâs fun making big shots over there, and everybody being quiet. So, like I said, Iâm just enjoying everything that I can, but itâs fun winning. Gotta keep this going."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Big man Joel Embiid talks having some continuity with Sixers' roster