Isaiah Hartenstein Calls Out Joel Embiid Before Knicks-76ers Series: 'He's Going To Seek Fouls'

Hartenstein says the Knicks have to be smart enough to not allow Embiid to deploy his usual tricks to get fouls. He understands the reigning MVP will get some calls regardless, but wants the Knicks to remain disciplined. 

I am sure that has been the message in most locker rooms before games against Embiid. The seven-time All-Star still managed to get to the line on a consistent basis, as he averaged a league-high 11.7 free throws per game.

The Knicks themselves could not keep Embiid away from the line in the only game he played against them this season. When the two teams met on Jan. 5, he went 9-12 from the line to finish the game with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.

What the Knicks did manage to do that night, though, was win. They crushed the 76ers 128-92 in what was the worst defeat of the campaign for Philadelphia. While they couldn't prevent Embiid from getting over 10 free throws, their defense limited the 76ers to just 40.7% shooting from the field.

The Knicks would be hoping to stifle that 76ers offense in a similar fashion in this upcoming series as well. If they do that, it wouldn't matter how many free throws Embiid ends up getting.

Joel Embiid Was Called Out For Flopping Against The Heat

Embiid and the 76ers set up this first-round clash by beating the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The 30-year-old didn't play all that well in that game, however, and received a fair bit of criticism for flopping too.

In the first quarter, he also went down on his knees after a free throw and was mocked for flopping.

This free throw aside, Embiid certainly doesn't help himself with some of these antics. He is a great player, but we have seen him resort to this a fair few times by now and that reputation will stick with him for the rest of his career.

While there is nothing really that Embiid can do to change that now, what he can change is the narrative about him not stepping up in the postseason. He has yet to even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals in his career and would be hoping this is the year he at least makes it that far.