Joel Embiid admits he and James Harden ‘cannot win alone’ after 76ers lose conference semifinals for third straight year as NBA MVP challenges team to improve: ‘It’s 5-on-5’
- His comments were in no way critical of teammates or the organization
- Joel Embiid also challenged himself to improve several times after losing in the playoffs
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Philadelphia 76ers center and NBA MVP Joel Embiid has challenged both himself and his teammates to improve after the Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Embiid scored 15 points on 5-for-18 shooting in the 112-88 defeat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sunday.
“I’m already figuring out how to get better next year,” Embiid said after the game. He also quoted Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I have a pretty good idea of what I need to do to get better, to be a better basketball player. To keep improving every year what I’ve been doing… Like someone said, “It’s not a failure, you know [there’s] steps to success.”
Embiid not only challenged himself, but also challenged the rest of the team when answering a question about fellow superstar James Harden and his potential free agency this summer.
76ers center Joel Embiid challenged himself and his teammates after the loss to Boston Celtics
Embiid noted that he and James Harden cannot win alone as they play a 5-vs-5 match
“We have an unfinished job. We didn’t win anything and I think we have a chance to win,” he added.
“Of course we go to seven games and have the chance to finish at home, which we didn’t do. I still believe we have a chance to win. I think we have what it takes to win,” Embiid said before calling whatever happens to the player option in Harden’s contract was “out of his hands” and he intended to “stay out of it.”
“I still believe he and I have a chance to win, but it takes more than us. We all have to look at ourselves, I have to get better and I will get better.
“We all have to find ways to come back and keep improving and help the team, you can’t win alone.
“I can’t win alone. Me and James, we just can’t win alone. That’s why basketball is played 5 against 5.’
Harden and Embiid look dejected as they take a Game 7 loss in the semifinal series on Sunday
Jayson Tatum played for the Celtics with 51 points as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals
Embiid quoted the words of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after being knocked out
Embiid and the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs after Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum burst for an NBA post-season Game 7 record 51 points as Boston reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row.
One game after missing 14 of his first 15 shots to wake up in the fourth quarter in time to save their season. point lead to a runaway.
It doesn’t matter where you lose. You don’t get the trophy because you’re second or third or fourth or fifth or sixth,” said Embiid.
‘It doesn’t matter if you lose in the first round, Final. There’s only one team that wins and if you didn’t make it, are you happy to be second? I know I’m not. For me it’s a failure if I don’t finish first. The rest doesn’t really matter.’