Kansas basketball: Joel Embiid could reach NBA finals

Former Kansas basketball standout Joel Embiid’s first ever appearance in the NBA playoffs is impressive. The masked man might find himself in the league finals.

Kansas basketball fans know Joel Embiid is amazingly talented on and off the basketball court. Beyond his social media prowess, Embiid continues to impress on the NBA’s biggest stage. In his playoff debut, the 7-foot-2 all pro was forced to wear a protective mask after breaking a bone in his face during a March 28 game.

The mask didn’t keep the former Jayhawk from scoring 23 points to give his Philadelphia Seventy-sixers a 2-1 advantage in the first round of NBA Eastern Conference playoff.  Embiid took over the game during the fourth quarter with a 7-nothing run all by himself. Considering his playoff debut, and how his teammates are stepping up, there is every reason to believe Embiid could find himself in the league finals. The playoff bracket looks very favorable for Embiid and the Sixers.

Anyone who watched Embiid early in Sunday’s game 4 in Miami thought the Sixers were doomed.  The masked man looked distracted and struggled with his shot. Blame it on the mask. Since he couldn’t score Embiid decided to dominate the game on defense. Certainly, Hall of Fame coach Bill Self was proud. As a matter of fact, Embiid blocked three shots and hustled his way to five fourth quarter rebounds. That effort and a great game from teammate Ben Simmons helped the Sixers escape with a come from behind road victory.

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Embiid and the mask will make his Philadelphia debut Tuesday night. After his first two playoff games, Embiid is averaging almost a double-double 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. With a 3-1 lead Embiid  and the Sixers need to wrap up this opening round series and get some rest. Boston and Milwaukee will probably fight through all seven games in their series.