Joel Embiid vows to stop shooting threes after win over Pistons

Joel Embiid says he might never attempt another three-pointer.

"Tonight might've been the last three I ever take," the Philadelphia 76ers center told reporters after Wednesday's 112-106 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Embiid went 0-for-3 from beyond the arc in that game.

He is now shooting 3-for-36 from three-point range this season.

That is 11.5 percent.

For a player who shot 38.8 percent from three in the 2022-23 season, the drop-off is extreme.

Embiid is 32 years old and in his 10th NBA season.

He has built a Hall of Fame resume on interior scoring, rebounding and free-throw shooting.

But his three-point shot has been a key part of his game in recent years.

In 2023-24, he shot 38.8 percent on 3.7 attempts per game.

Last season, that number fell to 32.6 percent on 4.1 attempts per game.

This season, through eight games, the numbers have collapsed.

Embiid is averaging 19.6 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

Those are still strong numbers for most centers.

But for a former MVP who averaged 33.1 points two seasons ago, the scoring dip is noticeable.

Against Detroit, Embiid scored 26 points on 8-for-18 shooting.

He made all 10 of his free-throw attempts.

He grabbed 15 rebounds.

He drew five fouls.

All of his made field goals came from inside the three-point line.

Embiid shot 8-for-15 on two-point attempts.

His three misses from deep were all that kept his field-goal percentage from looking much better.

The win improved Philadelphia's record to 8-1.

The 76ers have won five straight games.

Detroit came into the game as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Pistons were playing without starting center Jalen Duren, who is out with a hamstring injury.

That absence left Tolu Smith III as Detroit's primary defender on Embiid.

Smith and Embiid got into a brief altercation late in the second quarter.

With less than two minutes left in the half, Jaylen Brown drove to the basket and drew a foul.

Embiid grabbed the ball after the whistle and appeared to elbow Smith in the chest.

Smith responded by knocking the ball out of Embiid's hands.

A shoving match followed.

Teammates and coaches separated the two players.

Embiid was assessed a technical foul for initiating the contact.

The incident drew reactions from the Inside the NBA crew at halftime.

Charles Barkley watched the replay and said, "I've been kissed harder."

Shaquille O'Neal joked that someone should call the police.

Kenny Smith replied to Barkley, "Stop telling us about your love life."

Ernie Johnson added, "I don't think we even want details on that."

Barkley has used the same line before when commenting on physical play in the modern NBA.

The 76ers have a roster built to contend for a championship this season.

LeBron James joined the team in the offseason.

Jaylen Brown was acquired in a separate move.

Tyrese Maxey remains the team's starting point guard.

Against Detroit, Brown led the team with 30 points and seven rebounds.

Maxey struggled from the field but still posted 19 points and seven assists.

James finished with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting.

He also recorded his 16,000th career field goal, becoming the first NBA player to reach that milestone.

Embiid's role on this team is different from past seasons.

He is no longer the primary scoring option.

Maxey, Brown and James handle most of the offensive creation.

Embiid operates more as a rim-runner, rebounder and interior finisher.

That shift makes his three-point shooting less essential to the team's success.

But it also creates a potential problem.

If Embiid stops shooting threes entirely, defenses can sag off him.

That would clog the paint for Maxey, Brown and James, who all thrive on drives to the basket.

LeBron James is most effective as a playmaker when he can attack downhill and create passing lanes.

If Embiid's defender ignores him on the perimeter, those lanes close up.

The 76ers need floor spacing to maximize their stars.

Embiid has proven pedigree as a three-point shooter.

He shot 37.1 percent from deep over the 2021-22 season.

He shot 35.8 percent in 2020-21.

His career three-point percentage is 35.5 percent.

That is above average for a center.

For comparison, Nikola Jokic shoots 35.6 percent from three for his career.

Karl-Anthony Towns shoots 39.8 percent.

Embiid's current 11.5 percent is far below his established level.

It is possible he is simply in a shooting slump.

Eight games is a small sample size.

Players often go through cold stretches that do not reflect their true ability.

Embiid acknowledged that his shot has abandoned him.

"My three is just gone for whatever reason," he said.

He did not offer a specific explanation.

He did not blame an injury or a change in mechanics.

He simply stated that he no longer trusts his outside shot.

Whether he follows through on his vow remains to be seen.

Players often say things in the heat of frustration that they do not mean long-term.

Embiid has attempted at least three three-pointers per game in every season since 2018-19.

He attempted 4.1 per game last season.

Completely abandoning that part of his game would be a major adjustment.

It would also be unusual for a player of his caliber to permanently remove a weapon from his arsenal.

If teams leave him open on the perimeter, he will likely feel pressure to shoot.