Embiid's ceiling: Hakeem or Shaq level.

[sixerhp3]

I watched him in college. Big fan of Wiggins so I saw Embiid's every game too. His biggest flaw was him struggling against bigger NBA type big men. He would get almost shut down by guys 6'10 and bigger. Why are there no videos of Embiid posting up guys like Noel or Okafor? It's always some 5'10 trainer he is going up against.

Story has it that last year when Embiid was playing 5 on 5, prior to needed another surgery, he was dominating Noel in practice and rumor was that he yelled "this is my team now" Also, in a 2016 interview with Ish Smith, Ish raves about how dominant Embiid was in the halfcourt, saying he can power guys to the hoop with his strength, beat guys with skill in the post, handle the ball, and even step out and shoot the three ball with ease. Judging by Ish's voice, he seemed to be overly ecstatic by how much talent he had witnessed. He even claimed that he doesn't over exaggerate how any players talents, he was just that amazing. Judging by this statement by a player who has also played alongside Anthony Davis, I have high hopes that he is going to be amazing, barring any future injuries.

[Jason_Todd]

His ceiling will be Andrew Bynum.

[OptimusPrime+]

I feel like that KAT is what Embiid should have been. A skilled and mobile big with high IQ, soft shooting touch and a dominant post presence.

[AndriPerdhian93]

This is what Ish Smith said about Embiid last year before he had to get another surgery.

“First of all I think he’s grown two inches. One or two inches I think. He’s just such a physical specimen, he’s so big and strong. But, his skill is what takes him to the next level for me.

“So, last year, when he was practicing and working out and playing and he was getting into the flow, he was doing full-court drills, handling the ball with coach Billy Lange, handling the ball, full-court spinning, behind-his-back. I’m talking about handling the ball. So after that I’m like, ‘Okay I guess anybody can do that.’ Then after that he’s doing post-up moves, and doing all that. . And by yourself it looks good.

“So then I seen him play against some guys before practice started, they had him out there. Oh my goodness. Like it wasn’t even fair how much better. He was going against our guys, and it was just a different level. He’s just so … he can shoot the ball, he’s unselfish, he’s bigger and stronger so if he just wants to power you to the rim, he can. Or he wants to skill you he can. He can step out and shoot the three ball. He’s got a pretty form….He’s got a lotta skill. He really, really does. He was special to watch.”

Nah KAT can do all of it and the big plus is KAT also healthier.

[Edrees]

I could see that as his ceiling if he plays 82 games a season for the rest of his career without a single injury. It's a high ceiling with very low probability that he'll meet even half that potential due to health reasons.

[Quotatious]

I was very impressed with Embiid on draft day, I could see the Olajuwon comparisons, but I don't believe anybody who missed two seasons, hasn't even played one game in the NBA, can become an all-time great or even an all-star after that time.

[BadMofoPimp]

I am thinking Greg Oden.

[WVU]

As a 76ers fan, I just want this season to show that Embiid can stay healthy. 20-25 mpg and I'll be happy.

Now his long-term ceiling (assuming a clean bill of health), the sky is the limit. 7'2"and extremely skilled. Great touch with the ball. Stunning post moves. Promising range. He could be the best player drafted in the previous three drafts.. and that includes KAT

[sims]

Now his long-term ceiling (assuming a clean bill of health), the sky is the limit. 7'2"and extremely skilled. Great touch with the ball. Stunning post moves. Promising range. He could be the best player drafted in the previous three drafts.. and that includes KAT

are we sure about this, though? he always looks slow-footed and plodding to me. i expect him to really struggle to adapt to nba game pace and think the superstar trajectory is out for him - serviceable big man would be a win.

[CoreyGallagher]

are we sure about this, though? he always looks slow-footed and plodding to me. i expect him to really struggle to adapt to nba game pace and think the superstar trajectory is out for him - serviceable big man would be a win.

When he was in college? DraftExpress' video breakdown specifically mentions about being agile, running the court, and leaping. They show examples of it and he certainly doesn't look slow-footed or plodding.

Watch on YouTube

(:44 in)

He's changed since then, obviously, we will have to see how much of that he's retained.

[Wrangor]

Embiid is the best big man I have seen come out of college since Tim Duncan. Injuries are a major concern but his talent and athleticism are unquestionable. If he truly is healthy he is going to turn some heads.

As my first post here I hope it turns out to be a good one. I coached college basketball for four years and was a part of a national championship team as a coach (verifying basketball credentials).

Embiid is the real deal. A taller, more athletic, fluid KAT. Can't shoot as well as KAT but stroke is solid.

[NO-KG-AI]

Toss the Shaq thing, he's not that. No one is a comparable player to Shaq since Shaq. Maybe we'll see one again in our lifetime, maybe not. Even the biggest bruisers in the NBA like Demarcus Cousins and Andre Drummond give up 30-40 pounds to even the lighter versions of Shaq. The size difference is massive. Guys can't play like him, because even the biggest guys will never have that much of his size advantage, and most, if not all of the people pushing 300+ are as explosive or nimble as Shaq was.

I never like the Hakeem comparison because it always comes with the caveat that the guy is more productive and advanced than Hakeem was as a freshman, etc... but the thing is, Hakeem's game grew and evolved at a rate that is almost unheard of for most players, it's not a reasonable expectation because it's so rare that people develop that quick when they are so new to the game. Guys don't normally go from just picking up a basketball, to being so highly skilled in the post, and being so defensively aware. could it happen? Sure, but it's not likely that he develops at the same absurd rate.

I don't think Joel is quite on Hakeem's level as an athlete even before all the injuries and off time, but even if he was/is, there is a massive skill gap between what we've seen from Joel, and what we saw from rookie Hakeem even, and I'm not sure he ever closes that gap.

[Green89]

When was the last time he actually played in a game? 2-3 years ago? Hard to predict his ceiling when he hasn't been seen in game action for so long.

[JonFromVA]

The big question is health but the foot has fully healed now and he doesn't seem to have lost anything.

They said his foot was fully healed before the draft as well, and until we see him on the floor, it's premature to say he hasn't lost anything and we have to see whether that foot will hold up.

[Wrangor]

The big question is health but the foot has fully healed now and he doesn't seem to have lost anything.

They said his foot was fully healed before the draft as well, and until we see him on the floor, it's premature to say he hasn't lost anything and we have to see whether that foot will hold up.

Agree. We will know a lot more after this season. I'm taking the over on his productivity.


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[ropjhk]

Projections going into the draft were Hakeem in the best case scenario. Obviously getting injured isn't the best case scenario, but until we see him play significant minutes on an NBA court I would still say that Hakeem level is his ceiling... even if the probability of reaching that level is reduced.

[rzzzzz]

In his last interview before the coup, Sam Hinkie was asked by Zach Lowe to rate Embiid. Sam said he needed to use two different scales. On the health scale, he gave Embiid a 70% chance of full recovery, given the need for a 2nd procedure. (but the 2nd time they assembled a world class team of surgeons, etc. the same guy who worked on Durant. and the report was things looked a lot better then they anticipated when they went in to do the graft.) On a scale of talent, Sam said that Embiid was off the charts. he's a ridiculous combination of skills and athleticism. so, Hinkie's opinion is that the guy's ceiling is limited only by a 3 in 10 chance of re-injury. he has a 7 in 10 chance of being a (THE?) dominant force in the game. Sam may be a little partial, but no more than any other evaluator of NBA talent you're likely to find.

[In SVG We Trust]

I doubt he ever plays in the NBA

[WVU]

I doubt he ever plays in the NBA

damn bro

[JazzMan_OS]

Before the injuries, to me I though he would have been a guy who doesn't put up insanely good stats, but he proves to be a key impact player on defense and an efficient scorer on offense. Something like a 17 PPG, 10 RPG, and 2.5 BPG guy throughout his career.

Now, I think he'll be around the 10, 8, and 1.5 area throughout his career, maybe peaking at 15 PPG and 10 RPG for a couple years.

Just don't know if the kid has "it" anymore. Doesn't seem to take basketball seriously, really reminds me of Andrew Bynum, tbh.

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