By the Numbers: A Look Back at Joel Embiid's Career Game Against the Lakers

And why Philly fans should continue trusting the Process

Joel Embid exploded for a new career high against Lonzo Ball and the Lakers.

Everyone was talking about the most-hyped rookie in NBA history in Lonzo Ball and his horrible statistics. Everyone was talking about how super teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder were failing to meet expectations as they are stumbling during the early goings of the season. Everyone is now talking about the Boston Celtics' impressive 13-game winning streak heading into their match-up against the defending champions, Golden State Warriors.

But there's one team that has been overlooked. Slightly.

In case you haven't noticed, the Philadephia 76ers are currently in 6th place in the East- 2 places higher than the Cavs. They are no longer the same Philadelphia team that used to dwell in the bottom of the East during the past few years. Not anymore.

They are fighting. They are winning. And yes, they are trusting the process.

If there's one guy whom the Sixers should thank for their early success, it's none other than the big guy in the middle, Joel Embiid. Sure, Ben Simmons is playing like a super rookie but it's Joel Embid who is leading the Sixers- at least in scoring, averaging 23 points per game while making 51% of his shots.

Against the Los Angeles Lakers of Lonzo Ball and company, Joel Embiid came out and clearly outplayed the young Lakers, especially Ball and fellow rookie, Kyle Kuzma. Below are Embiid's numbers:

46 Points- Highest by any Philadelphia player in 11 years

If you want to know how dominant Joel Embiid was, or how poor the Lakers' defense on him was, just look at the box score. He took 20 shots, making 14 of them, en route to finishing the game with a career-high 46 points. Mind you, folks. He went 2 for 3 from the three-point line and 16 for 19 from the free throw line. If that will not leave you a good impression on  Joel Embiid, then nothing will.

40+ Points. 7 Assists. 7 Blocks- The First since Julius Erving back in 1982

Another stat line that will be remembered as Joel Embiid's. By recording 7 assists and 7 blocks against the Lakers, Joel Embiid joined another Sixer legend, Julius Erving, as the only players who recorded 40+ points, 7+ assists and 7+ blocks in a single game. In fact, Embiid had more blocks than the entire Lakers who only had 6 blocks. Now that's how you dominate. 

Conclusion

At 23 years-old, Joel Embiid's career is still young and he's yet to become a potentially-big star but if anything, his performance against the Lakers is a great start to becoming a dominant big man. The only thing that he needs aside from consistency: staying healthy. Why? He missed 2 seasons due to injury. And you can't dominate if you're wearing a suit, can you?