Joel Embiid went 0-for-9 from the field in Friday’s 119-95 loss to Cleveland, saying Philadelphia must find ways to create easier scoring opportunities.
“Not a lot of easy ones,” Embiid said after the game. “I feel like every action just ends in the jump shot. So, we got to figure that out and get easy ones.”
The 76ers center made all six of his free throws but struggled to find his rhythm offensively. Philadelphia shot 36.5% from the field and made 10 of 40 three-point attempts.
“I think we got a long way to go, especially on offense,” Embiid said. “We just feel like everything is crowded. So, we just got to find a way to get our advantages that we can take advantage of.”
Embiid also pointed to the team’s tendency to become stationary after initiating an offensive action.
“A lot of it was, you know, it just ends in a nice shot, and we just stand there and watch,” he said. “But, yeah, at times, we also had those moments where the ball is just moving.”
The Philadelphia star said he is looking for ways to get closer to the basket and make his own scoring opportunities easier.
“For me, especially, I’m like, how can I get easy ones? How can I get layups? How do I find myself or how do I put myself in a position to get the easy ones?” Embiid explained.
He acknowledged that he must continue taking available jump shots, even when they are not falling. Embiid also believes his shooting mechanics need attention.
“When I’m right, I’m a great shooter,” he said. “And then it’s just those times when you’re going through it, you just got to keep working.”
Asked what has changed with his shooting, Embiid identified his mechanics as an area to review.
“I think the way I’m jumping and my hands, it’s not what it used to be,” he said. “So, just got to go back and look at the clips and see what we can change.”
Embiid linked the adjustment to his limited opportunities to work on his game because of workload management.
“I used to be able to get in the gym every single day and just get the reps in,” he said. “That’s why it was so automatic. And now you got to find a way to kind of mix it up because you got to manage your load.”
The center also admitted that the shooting struggles can affect his confidence, but stressed the importance of staying positive.
“I believe in myself, but when you’re in these moments and nothing is going in, whether it’s threes, mid-range, everything, layups, it’s hard to just not look at yourself and be down,” Embiid said. “But, yeah, you got to keep going and stay up.”
Despite the defeat, Embiid said Philadelphia must focus on improving rather than dwelling on Friday’s result.
“As a team, we’re just trying to make each other better every single day,” he said. “Even on nights like tonight, it’s been a tough week, but it’s like, okay, what can we do to get better?”
The 76ers, who fell to 8-2, visit the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, November 8.
