ESPN.com · Feb 24, 2023
Joel Embiid does his best 'Bill Russell' impression in 76ers' win
PHILADELPHIA -- As Joel Embiid missed shot after shot throughout the first half of Thursday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center -- ultimately finishing 1-for-8 in the first quarter and 2-for-14 through the first half -- he knew that if he was going to have his usual impact on events, it was going to have to mean increased production at the defensive end of the court.
"For me, like I always say, defense is more important for me than offense," Embiid said. "Even tonight, I could not make any shots, especially the one I usually make. But, defensively, I thought I had to be Bill Russell tonight, to be able to kind of balance it out."