DETROIT -- Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is a career 33.6% shooter from beyond the arc. He has always been somebody who can score at all three levels and really give the Sixers a dominant offensive force at the center position.
However, after shooting 0-for-3 in Wednesday's win over the Detroit Pistons, he's now shooting just 3-for-26 from deep to begin the season. That's a far cry from his career norms as he has yet to really find the rhythm and groove from deep that he normally is able to find.
Embiid still had 26 points and 15 rebounds, which is still pretty darn good, as he shot 8-for-18 from the floor overall and 10-for-10 from the foul line, but the big fella has been disappointed with his 3-point shooting.
"Yeah, but efficiency is
still not there," Embiid stated. "So many easy ones that I miss. Part of it is you also don't want to focus so much on efficiency because I mean the 3s, I guess, for whatever reason--yeah, tonight might have been the last 3 I would take (he said with a sly smile)."
With that being said, despite the shooting struggles, coach Nick Nurse has been encouraged with what he's seen from Embiid. He still believes that the shots will fall and he wants him to continue taking those looks. The league is so predicated on shooting 3s and it's important that Embiid continues to keep his confidence in Nurse's eyes.
"Yes, on both of those," Nurse began. "I mean, as you know, I think he's a great shooter, and I think we need that as part of his game, our offensive plans, and yeah, I think they'll get there and he’ll start making them. I do like the ones he's taking, so it's just a matter of time, I think."
Embiid was candid recently about how he's still adjusting to a different role as he continues to work around the new additions, but Nurse is happy with how he's looked physically on the floor, which is a big development in his eyes. The efficiency will eventually return.
"My main thing is I think I'm just super happy with the way he's moving, and the amount he's out there, and how he's doing physically," Nurse finished. "That's my like main concern right now. I think his defense has been great. I think his rebounding's been great. I know that the scoring and rhythm and all that stuff with him will be there. He's just too skilled and too talented for him not to be there."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Joel Embiid, Nick Nurse comment on Sixers star's slow shooting start
