Embiid: 'I'm the best defensive player in the league right now'
Joel Embiid may not be at 100 percent, but he's feeling great about his defense.
"Not to be cocky, but I think I'm the best defensive player in the league right now," Embiid told reporters, as quoted by NBC Sports' Jessica Camerato.
The 23-year-old center anchors the Philadelphia 76ers' defense, which ranks seventh in the NBA and allows 101.8 points per 100 possessions. The club has posted a defensive rating of 96.6 in 439 minutes with Embiid on the court this season - just shy of the top-ranked Boston Celtics - and has surrendered 11 more points per 100 possessions without him.
Not only does he lead the 76ers with 22.7 points per game, but the imposing 7-foot-2 big man is also active on the glass, pulling down 9.1 defensive rebounds (fourth in the NBA), and is one of the league's best rim-protectors with 1.9 blocks (fifth) per outing.
"The Process" also ranks fourth in the league with a defensive real plus-minus of 2.74, giving him a slight edge over reigning Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green.
The 10-7 Sixers are on pace to make the playoffs for the first time in six years, and Embiid's efforts at both ends are a big reason why.