In what seems like many moons ago, Joel Embiid was the ultimate two-way phenomenon that could not be stopped on either end of the floor. A word that some people may even use is inevitable. One thing is for sure: despite numerous knee injuries, Embiid can still get to his spots and drain buckets with ease. However, on the defensive end of the court, he looks like a shadow of his former self due to a lack of mobility, which is hindering his ability to protect the rim effectively.
To say that the 31-year-old is [surplus to requirements](https://thesixersense.com/wild-joel-embiid-trade-idea-save-76ers-never-ending-downward-spiral) for the Philadelphia 76ers would be a ludicrous exaggeration. Embiid can still contribute heavily on offense and provide a positive contribution for his teammates to build upon.
During the agonising 142-134 second overtime defeat to the Atlanta Hawks, Embiid registered 18 points and two assists over 30 minutes on the floor. Nevertheless, the worrying statistic is that the once-dominant center only recorded four rebounds in this period.
76ers must tweak lineups to hide Embiid's weaknesses
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As previously stated, Embiid can still have a positive influence on the rotation. The onus is now on head coach Nick Nurse to find the correct solution to prevent his deteriorating physical attributes from hindering his teammates' ability to thrive.
Coaches perfecting the correct matchups for their players during fixtures is now becoming the most vital aspect of a winning basketball team. In Embiid's case, partnerships will be more critical if he wants to be a part of a winning formula. The Kansas graduate must be surrounded by a young, athletic core that can do his heavy lifting -- allowing him to focus on being the scoring menace that has made him an elite talent throughout his career.
Fortunately for the Sixers, they do have the correct pieces in their roster to make this dream a reality. Nick Nurse mentioned in the preseason training camp that the [energetic sophomore Adem Bona](https://thesixersense.com/76ers-may-face-unforeseen-test-due-to-rough-frontcourt-injuries-01kb98hz2bgw) could partner with Embiid in an attempt to limit the physical strain that he puts on his body, which has been prone to various injuries in the past.
In addition, the ever-impressive rookie VJ Edgecombe has showcased his impressive ability to rebound the ball if that is the job that his teammates require of him. The 20-year-old is averaging 5.8 rebounds per game, with a season-high 11 rebounds coming in a 113-111 defeat to the Chicago Bulls on November 5.
Dominick Barlow has also established himself as a potential partner for Embiid, despite being an offseason acquisition that did not wet the pallets of the Philadelphia fan base. The former Hawks forward has averaged 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks when available for selection during the 2025-26 season.
Joel Embiid may not be the physically intimidating superstar that he once was due to the litany of injuries that he has suffered throughout his spectacular career, but he still has a hugely influential role to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. It is down to Nick Nurse to surround him with players who complement his restricted skillset over the coming months.