Joel Embiid can be infuriating. He is a master troll. The 76ers centre knows what will upset people, and relishes pushing buttons. He falls down so often, and it’s like watching an elephant pretend the tranquilizer darts worked. Or maybe it’s just that Fred VanVleet is a strong man who can touch an arm, apply the gentlest touch and make even the great Embiid collapse.
But the main way Embiid is infuriating is he is so damned good. The game-winning three-pointer Embiid swished Wednesday night gave him 28 points in the second half and overtime of Game 3 of the Philadelphia-Toronto first-round series, which the 76ers now lead 3-0.