In an engaging chat with Sportskeeda, basketball trainer Drew Hanlen has taken the bull by the horns in debunking critics" claims about Philadelphia 76ers" center, Joel Embiid, avoiding clashes with elite centers like Nikola Jokic.
Hanlen pulled no punches when commenting on the criticism that Joel Embiid has been avoiding, or ‘ducking" Nikola Jokic in recent seasons.
He referred to the allegations as laughable, highlighting Embiid"s impressive performances against the Denver Nuggets player.
"We just kind of laugh about it. He’s played Jokic two times in the last two years and he had 47 [points], 18 [rebounds] and five [assists on Jan. 28, 2023. On Jan. 16, 2024], he had 41 [points], 10 [assists] and seven [rebounds]. I don’t know why you would duck somebody that you’re averaging 45, 13 and eight against."
Hanlen further expanded on Embiid"s prowess against other esteemed centers. “If you look at Joel versus other big guys, he’s just dominated them," said Hanlen.
The coach cited a game where Embiid clocked explosive 70 points against Victor Wembanyama as a testament to Embiid’s on-court dominance.
"He had 70 against Victor[Wembanyama]. You look at him versus Rudy Gobert. I don’t know his exact numbers, but he had around 51 [points], 12 [rebounds], and three [assists] on Dec. 20, 2023."
Hanlen brought forward more statistics to highlight Embiid’s performances against Rudy Gobert. "He secured approximately 51 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists on December 20, 2023, and 40 points, 19 rebounds, and three assists on March 3, 2021."
Against elite power forward, Anthony Davis, Embiid had a game on November 27, 2023, with a 30-point triple-double and didn"t even play the fourth quarter.
Moreover, he scored 38 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and assisted five times in the game before that on December 9, 2022.
Joel Embiid's trainer, Drew Hanlen, says Joel Embiid isn't 'ducking' the smoke when facing elite centers and always dominates them
"We just kind of laugh about it. He’s played Jokic two times in the last two years and he had 47, 18 and 5 on Jan. 28, 2023. On [Jan. 16, 2024], he… pic.twitter.com/2rzqn1OIwO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 16, 2024
