Tyronn Lue on Embiid and Harden: 'If you take away their free throws, neither would be in Top-10' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix | Basketnews illustration Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix | Basketnews illustration

Joel Embiid and James Harden are the two brightest superstars in the Philadelphia 76ers team. Although brilliant scorers, both players often get various remarks about getting favorable calls from the referees and getting to the free-throw line too often.

James Harden

MIN:37.11PTS:22.61 (57.64%)REB:7.89As:10.11ST:1.32BL:0.6TO:4.49GM:57ProfileNBA2021/2022

According to Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, Harden and Embiid wouldn't be the players that they are without their ability to get to the free-throw line.

"Embiid is no. 1 in the league from the free-throw line, and Harden is no. 3. You take away their free throws, neither one of these guys would be in the Top-10 in scoring," the coach explained.

"It just tells you how much they're getting to the free-throw line," Lue continued. "They're gonna get some calls because of who they are."

The Clippers faced the 76ers and the Denver Nuggets in their last two games. What's the difference between Embiid and Nikola Jokic, the two MVP frontrunners? It's their style of play, Lue told the press.

"It's tough. Embiid has definitely gotten better as a passer out of the double teams," the coach explained. "With Joker, he's an excellent passer, he picks you apart. Every time you double-team him, he always makes the right pass and the right play."

"Double-teaming Joker is like double-teaming LeBron. It's something you shouldn't do, but when you got somebody 6'7'' guarding him, you want to double-team him," Lue continued. "Embiid is a physical presence down the low block, gets to the free-throw line a lot, creates the contact, very smart."

"Joker's a better passer, but Embiid is more physical, gets to the free-throw line a little bit more. Basically, two tough covers," the Clippers head coach finished his statement.

Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.