The New York Knicks aren’t afraid of anybody.
Even so, if their matchup vs. the Philadelphia 76ers gets any easier, they won’t complain.
That’s why former NBA player Tim Legler believes they should be licking their chops right now.
Talking on ESPN’s Get Up, he pointed out that Joel Embiid isn’t physically well at the moment.
“If I’m the Knicks, and I’m watching that game, I am licking my chops right now because Joel Embiid is not right,” Legler said.
“If I’m the Knicks, and I’m watching that game, I am licking my chops right now because Joel Embiid is not right.”
—@LegsESPN on Embiid’s play-in performance vs. Miami 👀 pic.twitter.com/H79VXSSQuT
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 18, 2024
He pointed out that the Sixers’ season would’ve come to an end quite soon if it wasn’t for Nicolas Batum’s outstanding performance to rescue them against the Miami Heat, and he just doesn’t see this version of them getting past the Knicks.
As much as he thinks Joel Embiid will always make shots, he’s far from the same dominant defender he usually is at the moment.
The Knicks have been the grittiest and most physical team in the league this season, and they’re going to make life tough for Embiid with their hard-nosed defense.
On top of that, Jalen Brunson is perhaps the most explosive point guard in the game right now, and he could have a tough time trying to keep up with him as he drives to the rim.
Embiid is one of the best players in the game when healthy, but there’s only so much he can do when he’s this limited.
The Knicks should’ve still been favored ahead of this first-round series, given the way they closed out the regular season.
But with Embiid not looking like his usual self, this could get very ugly for Nick Nurse’s team.
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