Embiid Rusty in Return, Sixers Fall to Knicks

Joel Embiid was extremely rusty in his season debut as the Sixers fell to the New York Knicks in the first game of group play in the NBA Cup.

Here's what I saw from Embiid.

Likes

- The Sixers did not do a very good job of cashing in on them, but Embiid recognized his own limitations and dedicated himself to creating open threes for teammates by screening well. He and Jared McCain found chemistry the moment they stepped on the hardwoods together, the big man creating ample space for the rookie to curl into decisions. If the screen defender was hung up on Embiid and the roll man wasn't maintaining some sort of mutual position, McCain was free to rise up for three or put the ball on the deck and attack. That's an entire decision created by Embiid using his body to manufacture space.

- It was very obvious that Embiid was not about to find any breakthroughs on offense at any point in this game, but that did not stop him from saving his best for the defensive side of the ball. He was up to the task of guarding in space, applying ball pressure with blitzes and hedges at various points throughout the game. If you were expecting him to be in perfect shape for his first game of the season, that was never going to happen. You get in peak shape by playing the games. But, whatever conditioning he did have, his defensive effort was proof of it. 

Dislikes

- Embiid's rust was evident from the get-go. His best, most natural decision of his first shift was his first touch of the season. George got free cutting baseline and Embiid delivered a bullet to him at the rim for an easy finish inside. But, it was pure rust from there. Karl-Anthony Towns swiped the ball loose from Embiid's grasp a few times early on, the big fella not prepared to be strong with the basketball.

Towns has long been a chunk of meat in Embiid's shark tank. No. 21 has historically looked to devour him every time they go against each other. But, Embiid was timid - whether it be because of natural rust or confidence in his body to move the way and apply the force he wanted. He lacked sense for the shot clock and his own space on the floor, losing track of time and having nowhere to go on some of his moves.

I'm inclined to think it's a bit of both, rust and confidence. Rust is understandable and will go away with time. The confidence part is a variable that is impossible to estimate. He played like someone who was holding back the full extent of his offensive repertoire, ostensibly to be careful of his knee.

Only Embiid knows how long it will take for him to be comfortable applying more force with his lower extremities, but there were very few attempts to get physical inside from the big guy.

Spare thoughts

- Embiid seems to get a wedgie whenever he's at the foul line. If I had to guess, the brace on his knee causes his compression pants to get stuck uncomfortably. But, he's clearly dealing with something in that region every time he steps up for a free throw. 

The Sixers (2-8) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (12-0) on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Eastern time. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.