Joel Embiid is undoubtedly a game-changer on both ends of the floor. This season, he is playing the fourth most minutes in the entire NBA. The 7-foot center for the Philadelphia 76ers has played 892 minutes, only behind Jrue Holiday (911), Kevin Durant (895) and Klay Thompson (866).

While this strategy may be effective in the short term, Paul Pierce thinks that Embiid needs to see less minutes, especially given his injury history, to preserve him for the playoffs and lengthen his career.

“When you look at that list, mostly guards are going to be at the top of the list minutes-wise,” Pierce said. “The amount of banging he does every night, the physicality, for him to be up there in minutes, you’ve got to bring that down.”