Joel Embiid might be the NBA MVP because of his individual brilliance - but he's also shown he sees the bigger picture.
Embiid, who won the prestigious individual award last week, was at the centre of an emotional pregame presentation before the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Boston Celtics in the third game of their NBA Playoff series. But it was not to be the start of a triumphant night as the Celtics emerged as 114-102 winners to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
The 76ers won the opening game of the series after James Harden dropped 45 points, but he has struggled badly in the last two games since Embiid returned from an injury. Harden has gone a combined 5-for-28 shooting in those two games - but Embiid wants him to keep being "aggressive".
Embiid may have earned the highest individual accolade for his performances this year, but his main objective is to win an NBA Championship - as he outlined after winning MVP.
"Obviously, winning a championship is going to be way better," Embiid told ESPN. "And we have that opportunity."
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And Embiid's advice to Harden shows he is looking to bring the best out of those around him in pursuit of the top prize rather than just focusing on doing it all himself. It is part of the mix the 76ers hope will bring the top prize to Philadelphia.
"I mean, you just talk to him and you keep telling him to keep shooting," Embiid said after Game 3. "Be aggressive. Can't get too high, can't get too low.
"Some nights you're going to make lots of other shots, a lot of tough ones, and some nights you're not going to make them. So it's about finding other ways to impact the game."
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Embiid was named NBA MVP this week and was presented with his award before the latest 76ers playoff game (Getty Images)Embiied also called on the 76ers players to "show up" and placed added focus on everyone knowing their role for the remainder of the series.
"I think players have to show up," said Embiid. "I got to do my job. All the guys, everybody knows their role, they have to do their job. Players have to show up. Obviously, you can make any adjustments you want. But if the players don't execute, they don't show up and we don't make shots, that's on us.
"I got to be better. We all got to be better. We just haven't been good enough the last two games. No sense of urgency ... it's the small things. We've been fine guarding them in the half court. It's loose ball situations, offensive rebounds, and they knock down a 3 or they score off of it and it just changes everything."
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