PHILADELPHIA — The 55-second video clip rapidly toggled between Joel Embiid and either Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, with the 76ers’ star big man pulling off nearly identical moves with the ball in his hands. A turnaround fadeaway one step outside the lane. A crossover at the elbow. An over-the-shoulder spin and finish at the rim. An up-and-under move around the defender and off the glass.
That the 7-foot Embiid mirrors arguably the two most lethal scoring guards in NBA history is a visual representation of his dazzling skills during another MVP-caliber season. But with two years passing since Bryant’s death on Wednesday and the Lakers’ only visit to Philly this season on tap Thursday night, that compilation also represents how much Bryant continues to influence Embiid.
“[To] look similar, to add that you’re 7-2 and freaking 500 pounds, it’s huge for the confidence,” Embiid said. “After looking at it, it’s like, ‘It works. I need to keep on doing it. I need to keep on building.’ ”
