“I think this year’s going to be back to All-Defensive …

After blocking Knicks center Andre Drummond’s dunk attempt in the fourth quarter of the Sixers‘ season-opening 106-100 win Tuesday night, Philadelphia center Joel Embiid wagged his index finger and shook his head. It was one of three blocks Embiid had on the night, and the finger wag felt like a reminder — or perhaps a warning sign — to the Knicks and the NBA that that he intends to be in elite defender form this season. “I think this year’s going to be back to All-Defensive team like in the past,” said Embiid, who has made the All-Defensive second team three times, most recently in 2021. “So, felt good, moving great. Felt like I was all over the place, so I need to do that every game.”

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After blocking Knicks center Andre Drummond’s dunk attempt in the fourth quarter of the Sixers‘ season-opening 106-100 win Tuesday night, Philadelphia center Joel Embiid wagged his index finger and shook his head. It was one of three blocks Embiid had on the night, and the finger wag felt like a reminder — or perhaps a warning sign — to the Knicks and the NBA that that he intends to be in elite defender form this season. “I think this year’s going to be back to All-Defensive team like in the past,” said Embiid, who has made the All-Defensive second team three times, most recently in 2021. “So, felt good, moving great. Felt like I was all over the place, so I need to do that every game.”

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “I think this year’s going to be back to All-Defensive …