Pistons’ JB Bickerstaff highlights Joel Embiid’s scary offensive impact

The Detroit Pistons are hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday in a clash between the two top teams in the Eastern Conference. These two teams have combined for just one loss this season, with the Pistons dealing the 76ers their only defeat of this new campaign thus far. This will be a tough matchup for the Pistons, especially with Jalen Duren not around to help contain Joel Embiid since he’s still out due to a hamstring injury.

Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff knows just how much of a matchup nightmare Embiid can be. While he will back Paul Reed, their starting center with Duren out, and his chances of at least slowing down the former NBA MVP, he knows that the 76ers star is so good on offense that he puts so much pressure on the opposing team.

“His ability to spread the floor, to score in the midrange, put pressure on your paint. He’s one of the elite bigs that we have in this game. To say just a few things isn’t giving him the respect that he deserves,” Bickerstaff said, per Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports.

Embiid is no longer the unstoppable force he once was, although a lot of that has to do with his checkered injury history. Even then, he was such an elite offensive player in his prime that, despite his decline, he remains as dangerous as ever when he gets to his spots.

The 76ers star is very crafty with his back to the basket, and he can overpower smaller defenders with his size, strength, and soft touch near the hoop. Bickerstaff knows that the Pistons have to be careful when it comes to allowing him to get into a rhythm, as that would allow the rest of Philly’s stacked squad to take advantage of the space he would create.