Sixers mailbag: Joel Embiid’s defense and limitations, Paul George’s expected role, and other questions

Sixers mailbag: Joel Embiid’s defense and limitations, Paul George’s expected role, and other questions

Embiid's lateral movement should improve as he continues to work back from knee surgery earlier this year. Meanwhile, George should thrive as a secondary ball handler and defender when he returns.

Sixers Notes: VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre, Jared McCain

File photo Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer wonders if 76ers rookie guard VJ Edgecombe can fully grow his offensive game while sharing the floor with Joel Embiid. Edgecombe has been the league’s most productive rookie so far, averaging 20.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals on .495 shooting and .421 from three. But when Embiid is out there, the ball naturally goes through the former MVP. Pompey also notes that Embiid stil…

Sixers Notes: Oubre, Lowry, Edgecombe, Embiid

While the Sixers‘ backcourt play has understandably garnered most of the attention during the team’s 5-1 start, veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has been a key contributor as well, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscriber link). In Sunday’s matchup with Brooklyn, Oubre was tasked with slowing down Michael Porter Jr., who had a season-high 32-points in his previous game against Atlanta. Not only did Oubre limit Porter to two fi…