So how about Joel Embiid

[Ericb5]

As a Sixer fan I think that we ought to just keep our mouths closed for now.

If Embiid is healthy a month from now and playing 20-24 minutes, the naysayers will become a very small minority.

There will be no denying what he is doing.

His per 36 mpg stats already tell a story, but if he is doing the same thing by Dec 1st, let's say, in 24 minutes then it will be considered "real" in the minds of the basketball masses.


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It will take a few healthy season to remove the injury stigma from Embiid. But his talent is undeniable.

I'm not talking about the injury stigma. I totally agree that he needs 2 full healthy seasons for that to be expunged.

I'm talking solely about his basketball skills. There are a lot of people who don't realize how good he already is, and is likely to become.

I think that it will only take a month or so of real basketball games for the NBA at large to recognize that not only is he the next great NBA big man, but that he is ALREADY one of the best big men in the league. If I say that he is one of the best NBA big men today, people can easily say the whole preseason, 12 minutes, small sample size thing. Well, once he gets a month of real minutes in real games, people will start to come around.

Non Sixers fans haven't been paying a lot of attention to him, and some of the most impressive things that he is doing haven't been in the highlight packages, such as his leadership, competitive fire, and communication on the floor. If he plays 24 minutes a game for the first month of the season, he will have a few 20-10 games that will make the casual fans start to take notice. He has already established his dominance in practices, and it is already evident that the Sixers are his team.

All the Hakeem talk is just hopes, and dreams at this point, but the actual skills on the basketball court will be evident to the league before Christmas.

[Tave]

As a Sixer fan I think that we ought to just keep our mouths closed for now.

If Embiid is healthy a month from now and playing 20-24 minutes, the naysayers will become a very small minority.

There will be no denying what he is doing.

His per 36 mpg stats already tell a story, but if he is doing the same thing by Dec 1st, let's say, in 24 minutes then it will be considered "real" in the minds of the basketball masses.


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That he'll foul out of every game?

But seriously, preseason stats mean about as much as Summer League MVP, which is to say nothing at all.

Do you think Devin Booker will lead the league in scoring, or that Axel Toupane is going to out rebound Boogie over 82 games?

Be excited that he's out there playing and seems to have good energy. Take it one step at a time.

[Kolkmania]

As positive as this thread could and should become, as Embiid continues to improve. You know there are probably a bunch of "haters" just sitting at their keyboards reading about his progress and foaming at the mouth. They are just waiting for something negative to happen or hoping he does not reach his potential so they can jump on this thread and the board and say, "Look look I told you so....I knew I was right !" You people know who you are. It must be sad going through life like this !

Sixers fans are very interesting. They say things like this to where you legit can't tell if they live in a fantasy world and are being serious, or if they are trolling and joking about it. Nobody here is saying Embiid lacks potential to be a really good player. But when you start talking about 20/12 numbers (as someone said) and David Robinson, Kareem etc you are setting the bar REALLY high.

You're basically saying a guy who's played 4 preseason games after missing two full seasons is a first ballot hall of famer. You don't see how silly that seems?

You can't say "Sixers fans" are delusional, unrealistic and living in a fantasy when 95% of the posters say he's very rusty but has enormous potential.

Lol at this thread. Embiid will likely be a career 11/7 guy, with a few ejections per year from his hot-headedness and numerous nagging injuries. Kid is nowhere near David Robinson level .. wth?

He's not going to be the best center in the NBA this season as some here say, but after 2.5 years without a competitive game he's already averaging something like 10/6 in 15 minutes. I know it's preseason, but he's been going up against Drummond, Marjanovic, A. Johnson, Horford, Gortat and Gasol and was never outclassed, on the contrary.

Why do you think he'll likely be a 11/7 career guy? Even if his career lasts for a short period, I'm sure he'll put better numbers on the board than 11/7.

He never went up against Horford and he was up against Drummond and Gasol for maybe five minutes. There's a lot to be excited about with Embiid and if you can't see his upside when he's on the court then you have to be blind. He does have a ton of rust to shake off and again it's preseason. He had 12 rebounds in 14 minutes, but also had seven turnovers in that amount of time so it's fair to say that there's going to be a lot of learning going on this season after being off the court for so long. Some of these lofty comps and predictions are a little premature.

So basically 50% of the time against Detroit and Memphis he was playing against those two guys. Amir Johnson was indeed assigned to defend Embiid, but the point is that he's not showing great plays against 3rd string scrubs. I am (and I think 95% of the Sixers fanbase are) not saying he's a hybrid between Hakeem/Duncan/Shaq etc. He'll have plenty of turnovers, fouls and low FG%, but if he stays healthy I'm sure he'll be at least an above average rim protector in his first year after 2.5 years of injury.

I like the enthusiasm for a guy coming back from injury but a lot of these "highlights" are kinda tepid--those put backs especially when he's just barely squeeeeeezing it in over the top of the rim.

This is a league where guys elevate like:

Watch on YouTube

Let's get him in some real games against quality starters that are actually trying before we vote him in the Hall m'kay?

This is exactly the problem, none of us are extremely excited because of a putback dunk or a 3 pointer as a trailing center. It's the footwork and mobility for his size, his shooting form with the FT% to back it up, the scoring instincts, his dedication and heart on the court and the tremendous timing as a rim protector all as a legit 7'2''. And sure, he's going to regress throughout the season (if he's healthy in May it's already a win for the 76'ers franchise), but I and the majority of the Sixers fans am/are not talking him into the Hall of Fame.

[AndriPerdhian93]

Another injury

[CoreyGallagher]

Another injury

Even as a response to the title of the thread this doesn't make sense.

[AndriPerdhian93]

Another injury

Even as a response to the title of the thread this doesn't make sense.

2 year in nba but no pro game played ???

[CoreyGallagher]

Another injury

Even as a response to the title of the thread this doesn't make sense.

2 year in nba but no pro game played ???

I know what you meant, just sort of an odd response to the context of this thread and specifically to the title question of it.

[76ers]

Even as a response to the title of the thread this doesn't make sense.

2 year in nba but no pro game played ???

I know what you meant, just sort of an odd response to the context of this thread and specifically to the title question of it.

IE: a troll comment

[Eyeamok]

Another injury

Even as a response to the title of the thread this doesn't make sense.

2 year in nba but no pro game played ???

What is the deal with you and the letter "S".

2 Year(s) ...no pro game(s).

Some 'S' words to use with Joel as the season goes on.
Success, Skillful,sleek,smooth,Surging, no stagnation, no sluggishness.

[The-Power]

dude is gonna avg 22/11/5 a game RIGHT NOW.

Five what? Assists per game?

[DickGrayson]

the hype is real.

[youngcrev]

dude is gonna avg 22/11/5 a game RIGHT NOW.

Five what? Assists per game?

Correct.

We also would of accepted blocks, steals and 3 pointers.

[cwas2882]

Man, as much as I like ripping on the 6ers and "the process" and annoying 6er fans, I really really want Embiid to do well and be the next Olajuwon. That would be a lot of fun.

[Capn'O]

I like the enthusiasm for a guy coming back from injury but a lot of these "highlights" are kinda tepid--those put backs especially when he's just barely squeeeeeezing it in over the top of the rim.

This is a league where guys elevate like:

Watch on YouTube

Let's get him in some real games against quality starters that are actually trying before we vote him in the Hall m'kay?

I don't see a lot of potential for him to be an above the rim highlight player. Embiid's biggest strength is his mobility and coordination for his size. His footwork (ironically) is great and he seems to have a good IQ/vision as a center as well. That's going to allow him to be an impact player on both sides.

I'd call him a bigger Willy Hernangomez

[Tave]

I like the enthusiasm for a guy coming back from injury but a lot of these "highlights" are kinda tepid--those put backs especially when he's just barely squeeeeeezing it in over the top of the rim.

This is a league where guys elevate like:

Watch on YouTube

Let's get him in some real games against quality starters that are actually trying before we vote him in the Hall m'kay?

I don't see a lot of potential for him to be an above the rim highlight player. Embiid's biggest strength is his mobility and coordination for his size. His footwork (ironically) is great and he seems to have a good IQ/vision as a center as well. That's going to allow him to be an impact player on both sides.

I'd call him a bigger Willy Hernangomez

I'm concerned he doesn't have the lower body strength/durability/athleticism to leverage his mass, but I agree his footwork is out-of-this-world good.

[90sgoat]

I've watched most of the great centers in NBA history while they played (not Wilt, Russel, Kareem). My hopes for Embiid are high but some things bother me.

He runs and moves with a sort of hunched posture, bending at his back, this makes it seem like he is shorter than his listed 7 foot (or is it 7'1''?), this makes me think his mobility and speed is lacking and he compensates by trying to get a lower center of gravity to move quicker laterally. You see this with other slow footed centers like Hibbert and postinjury Oden. A center with good knees, back, legs should mainly move using his feet and toes, like a boxer. Dwight is also a good example of strong legs, keeping a good posture, Shaq running and so on. Embiid hunches over to move quicker because his knees or legs can't support quick movement. He looks sluggish.

That said, if ever there is such a thing as innate talent and bball IQ, Embiid has it, you can't really teach his exceptional reactions and read of the game real time. He makes quick and correct decisions in a way which not even long term pros are able to.

He is definitely the most talented center I've seen in a long time. Yes Bynum is not a bad comparison, they have similar bodies, but Bynum was all about power play, Embiid has a natural understanding of the game as a full court thing, which is rare in centers. I understand the Hakeem comparison.

I am worried about Embiid running and worried about his lateral quickness on defense. On offense, he will do fine from day 1.

[Tave]

I've watched most of the great centers in NBA history while they played (not Wilt, Russel, Kareem). My hopes for Embiid are high but some things bother me.

He runs and moves with a sort of hunched posture, bending at his back, this makes it seem like he is shorter than his listed 7 foot (or is it 7'1''?), this makes me think his mobility and speed is lacking and he compensates by trying to get a lower center of gravity to move quicker laterally. You see this with other slow footed centers like Hibbert and postinjury Oden. A center with good knees, back, legs should mainly move using his feet and toes, like a boxer. Dwight is also a good example of strong legs, keeping a good posture, Shaq running and so on. Embiid hunches over to move quicker because his knees or legs can't support quick movement. He looks sluggish.

That said, if ever there is such a thing as innate talent and bball IQ, Embiid has it, you can't really teach his exceptional reactions and read of the game real time. He makes quick and correct decisions in a way which not even long term pros are able to.

He is definitely the most talented center I've seen in a long time. Yes Bynum is not a bad comparison, they have similar bodies, but Bynum was all about power play, Embiid has a natural understanding of the game as a full court thing, which is rare in centers. I understand the Hakeem comparison.

I am worried about Embiid running and worried about his lateral quickness on defense. On offense, he will do fine from day 1.

He didn't have quite the same gait at Kansas but displayed similar tendencies: when bigger talent challenged him in the post his natural reaction was to bend/hunch forward, he did the awkward landing and leg-splaying thing, got angry and commited too many stupid fouls, etc...

He is a fascinating profile: truly elite footwork without much core strength, top-level agility and speed with zero explosion, overwhelming size and no power game, a feather touch with great discipline on O but borders on uncontrollable on D, terrific energy while also a really cerebral player, an automatic bucket that's never available to play--overall I can't wait to see him on the court. If he can stay healthy at the very least he has the skill+size to enjoy a long and lucrative career. I dunno if he'll fulfill everyone's expectations but he appears to be a fun guy to follow, which is honestly the point of all this.

Disclaimer: I was super-critical of Embiid's athleticism in high school, rated him lower in college and the draft regardless of injury, and have been very cautious since he joined the 76ers, so my opinions on him tend to be more pessimistic that average. Still though, you can't deny the moments when he's just poetry in motion.

[sixerhp3]

I've watched most of the great centers in NBA history while they played (not Wilt, Russel, Kareem). My hopes for Embiid are high but some things bother me.

He runs and moves with a sort of hunched posture, bending at his back, this makes it seem like he is shorter than his listed 7 foot (or is it 7'1''?), this makes me think his mobility and speed is lacking and he compensates by trying to get a lower center of gravity to move quicker laterally. You see this with other slow footed centers like Hibbert and postinjury Oden. A center with good knees, back, legs should mainly move using his feet and toes, like a boxer. Dwight is also a good example of strong legs, keeping a good posture, Shaq running and so on. Embiid hunches over to move quicker because his knees or legs can't support quick movement. He looks sluggish.

That said, if ever there is such a thing as innate talent and bball IQ, Embiid has it, you can't really teach his exceptional reactions and read of the game real time. He makes quick and correct decisions in a way which not even long term pros are able to.

He is definitely the most talented center I've seen in a long time. Yes Bynum is not a bad comparison, they have similar bodies, but Bynum was all about power play, Embiid has a natural understanding of the game as a full court thing, which is rare in centers. I understand the Hakeem comparison.

I am worried about Embiid running and worried about his lateral quickness on defense. On offense, he will do fine from day 1.

He didn't have quite the same gait at Kansas but displayed similar tendencies: when bigger talent challenged him in the post his natural reaction was to bend/hunch forward, he did the awkward landing and leg-splaying thing, got angry and commited too many stupid fouls, etc...

He is a fascinating profile: truly elite footwork without much core strength, top-level agility and speed with zero explosion, overwhelming size and no power game, a feather touch with great discipline on O but borders on uncontrollable on D, terrific energy while also a really cerebral player, an automatic bucket that's never available to play--overall I can't wait to see him on the court. If he can stay healthy at the very least he has the skill+size to enjoy a long and lucrative career. I dunno if he'll fulfill everyone's expectations but he appears to be a fun guy to follow, which is honestly the point of all this.

Disclaimer: I was super-critical of Embiid's athleticism in high school, rated him lower in college and the draft regardless of injury, and have been very cautious since he joined the 76ers, so my opinions on him tend to be more pessimistic that average. Still though, you can't deny the moments when he's just poetry in motion.

Zero explosion??

[sixerhp3]

Watch on YouTube

LOL

[Misteclipse]

Embiid isn't athletic, has no explosion, and has no strength or power game. He's not mobile and lacks lateral quickness and will fail because he runs down the court with a hunch in his back. Can't wait to hear what's next because those opinions are wrong on all accounts .

It's his mental game, not physical game that's holding him back. Needs to improve a lot against double teams because they're going to come, and they're going to come often as they already have. He turns the ball over too much from trying to do too much. Needs to settle down and let it come to him, which is understandably hard to do when the guard play is a disaster and nobody can deliver an entry pass after he bullies himself into great position. He's already the #1 scoring option by default, when it's still a little too early for that, thus causing much of the "doing too much". Defensively has a tendency to chase blocks when he doesn't need to sometimes.

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