Trust The Process: Joel Embiid’s top five plays this season

2. Embiid Lebrons Lebron

The Golden State Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals last summer. No one has forgotten that. It was an all-time great series, and Lebron James had great moments. None were bigger than his block on Andre Iguodala however, and it will likely go down as one of Lebron’s best moments.

Which makes this Joel Embiid swat on Lebron just that much better.

Lebron James thinks he has an easy lay up here. He rises into Robert Covington, who lets him go without contact. Content, Lebron throws up a soft lay up. He forgot all about Joel Embiid trailing the play and pays the price.

This is an impressive play. Embiid takes off for this block on the left side of Covington and skies over him to reach Lebron’s shot. He reaches it after it hits the backboard and becomes a very pretty goal tending and Lebron get his two points. LeBron may think twice about shooting around Embiid again, however.

Joel Embiid is third in the league in blocks per game despite restricted minutes. He leads the league in blocks per 36 minutes and is already one of the league’s strongest rim protectors. Not every block he makes is a play like this; however, this play demonstrates how he is able to get so many swats. Embiid uses his athleticism around the rim well at a young age and will only continue to progress on that side.