So how about Joel Embiid

[uraverage]

hes a much better defender than amare

Wake me up once he passes Andre Drummond's level.

So he has to lead the league in rebounding and make an All-Star team in the same year?

I would think that would be a good place to start. Drummond has been in the top 5 for rebounding over the last couple of years, I would think that Embiid would need to show that type of production before we can start saying he is better than so and so....

[XtremeDunkz]

Wake me up once he passes Andre Drummond's level.

So he has to lead the league in rebounding and make an All-Star team in the same year?

I would think that would be a good place to start. Drummond has been in the top 5 for rebounding over the last couple of years, I would think that Embiid would need to show that type of production before we can start saying he is better than so and so....

He's already got a head start by not being a liability at the free throw line.

[el13adnino]

So he has to lead the league in rebounding and make an All-Star team in the same year?

I would think that would be a good place to start. Drummond has been in the top 5 for rebounding over the last couple of years, I would think that Embiid would need to show that type of production before we can start saying he is better than so and so....

He's already got a head start by not being a liability at the free throw line.

actually, he starting a few steps behind because he's injury prone and only thing he's know for (right now)is being injured

[BullyKing]

Wake me up once he passes Andre Drummond's level.

So he has to lead the league in rebounding and make an All-Star team in the same year?

I would think that would be a good place to start. Drummond has been in the top 5 for rebounding over the last couple of years, I would think that Embiid would need to show that type of production before we can start saying he is better than so and so....

So he has to be better defensively than Drummond to be better defensively than Amare. Interesting logic there.

[knicks512]

Big fan of Embiid's game and hope to God he stays healthy.

While I agree it's foolish to say he can be Hakeem or better, I definitely see the skillset of a guy like Olajuwon in his game.

What I don't understand is the comparisons to Shaq. At all. Does he look decently strong and able to muscle his way down low a little bit? Sure. But that's not anywhere near what Shaq was. From the moment Shaq came in the league he would literally bully his way to the hoop and threw it down regularly. He was a freak of nature.

I'm trying not to say this in a combative way, as I think the guy can be an absolute animal overall, I just don't get where the Shaq comparisons come from. Even in the highlight reel from the preseason on the previous page, there was nothing (and these are highlights) that made me say wow, this guy can be the same explosive, bully in the post dunk machine that Shaq was. What is it you guys are seeing that makes you think that? And I'm asking everyone, as I've seen non-Philly fans say it too, so I'm just trying to get a better idea of what the comparison entails.

[uraverage]

So he has to lead the league in rebounding and make an All-Star team in the same year?

I would think that would be a good place to start. Drummond has been in the top 5 for rebounding over the last couple of years, I would think that Embiid would need to show that type of production before we can start saying he is better than so and so....

So he has to be better defensively than Drummond to be better defensively than Amare. Interesting logic there.

Never once did i say Amare or defense. Basically i am looking for him to show consistency before he can be deemed better than anyone or that he is a cross of Shaq and whoever (Shaq was one of the best to play the C position). In my opinion the bar starts with Drummond, he has proven for multiple years that he is one of the top C's currently playing in the nba. Embiid has not played a full year yet on the court. Lets see him hold up to the grind of a few seasons before the hype train loads up and start heading down the tracks.

Yes Embiid has potential, but so did Oden....

[BullyKing]

I would think that would be a good place to start. Drummond has been in the top 5 for rebounding over the last couple of years, I would think that Embiid would need to show that type of production before we can start saying he is better than so and so....

So he has to be better defensively than Drummond to be better defensively than Amare. Interesting logic there.

Never once did i say Amare or defense. Basically i am looking for him to show consistency before he can be deemed better than anyone or that he is a cross of Shaq and whoever (Shaq was one of the best to play the C position). In my opinion the bar starts with Drummond, he has proven for multiple years that he is one of the top C's currently playing in the nba. Embiid has not played a full year yet on the court. Lets see him hold up to the grind of a few seasons before the hype train loads up and start heading down the tracks.

Yes Embiid has potential, but so did Oden....

He's like a bigger Amare, injuries and all. He's amazing tho. KAT, Porz, Embiid and AD are that new wave of big man.

hes a much better defender than amare

Wake me up once he passes Andre Drummond's level.

You responded to a post saying his defense was better than Amare's by asking to be woken up when he's better than Drummond. My apologies for not realizing you were offering a complete non-sequiter then.

[Unbreakable99]

Big fan of Embiid's game and hope to God he stays healthy.

While I agree it's foolish to say he can be Hakeem or better, I definitely see the skillset of a guy like Olajuwon in his game.

What I don't understand is the comparisons to Shaq. At all. Does he look decently strong and able to muscle his way down low a little bit? Sure. But that's not anywhere near what Shaq was. From the moment Shaq came in the league he would literally bully his way to the hoop and threw it down regularly. He was a freak of nature.

I'm trying not to say this in a combative way, as I think the guy can be an absolute animal overall, I just don't get where the Shaq comparisons come from. Even in the highlight reel from the preseason on the previous page, there was nothing (and these are highlights) that made me say wow, this guy can be the same explosive, bully in the post dunk machine that Shaq was. What is it you guys are seeing that makes you think that? And I'm asking everyone, as I've seen non-Philly fans say it too, so I'm just trying to get a better idea of what the comparison entails.

All that is fair. I agree with it. Embiid isn't like Shaq. Shaq was one of a kind. Embiid has a greater skillset than Shaq. Shaq was great but I don't think he's the best center ever. I think Olajuwon was better. You can argue Kareem and Wilt and others too. All of them were great though. If Embiid does stay healthy and plays starters minutes his entire career I definitely think he will be great. And I think when it's all said and done he just may be the greatest center ever.

[uraverage]

So he has to be better defensively than Drummond to be better defensively than Amare. Interesting logic there.

Never once did i say Amare or defense. Basically i am looking for him to show consistency before he can be deemed better than anyone or that he is a cross of Shaq and whoever (Shaq was one of the best to play the C position). In my opinion the bar starts with Drummond, he has proven for multiple years that he is one of the top C's currently playing in the nba. Embiid has not played a full year yet on the court. Lets see him hold up to the grind of a few seasons before the hype train loads up and start heading down the tracks.

Yes Embiid has potential, but so did Oden....

hes a much better defender than amare

Wake me up once he passes Andre Drummond's level.

You responded to a post saying his defense was better than Amare's by asking to be woken up when he's better than Drummond. My apologies for not realizing you were offering a complete non-sequiter then.

My bad i meant to grab DreamTeam09 post the one with the list on the next big wave of bigs (KAT, Porz, Embiid and AD are that new wave of big man).

My comment was meant to only post an opinion---that for me the bar is set at Drummond and should have been on that list. Drummond (23) is around the same age Embiid is 22. By 22 Drummond had already produced 4 successful years in the NBA. Embiid has not produced in the NBA regular season yet. So once he passes Drummond for a few seasons i will buy the hype but until then Drummond is better then him.

I would love to be able to discuss the stats comparing Amare and Embiid, but i can not find any nba season stats on Embiid. The only thing i can say is that by 22 Amare had been producing for 3 years....

Preseason doesn't count. If it did than Tim Frazier would be 3rd in the league Assists...

[Ferulci]

All that is fair. I agree with it. Embiid isn't like Shaq. Shaq was one of a kind. Embiid has a greater skillset than Shaq.

Ok this is getting ridiculous. You realize that skill is more than shooting range ? Rookie's Shaq skillset, from his passing, ball handling, quickness, dribbling or versatility is leagues ahead of Embiid skillset.

[CoreyGallagher]

From Matt Moore of CBS Sports on Embiid, cleverly phrased.

You know how in "Jurassic World", they just threw different stuff into the Indominus Rex to make it scarier? "Cooler?" That's Embiid. "Here, let's take Oden's frame. Now give him Olajuwon's footwork. And Duncan's range. Make him strong. And fast. And powerful."

If only they'd made his feet the right size. But Embiid has made it through preseason -- knock on wood -- without any setbacks. And he looks like a total monster. Godzilla, tearing apart Tokyo. He's Cloverfield and Oogie Boogie and the Iron Giant combined. The Sixers have been a horror show for years.

Now they've got a monster.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/30-reasons-to-be-excited-for-2016-17-nba-season-warriors-and-other-epic-shows/

[DickGrayson]

Big fan of Embiid's game and hope to God he stays healthy.

While I agree it's foolish to say he can be Hakeem or better, I definitely see the skillset of a guy like Olajuwon in his game.

What I don't understand is the comparisons to Shaq. At all. Does he look decently strong and able to muscle his way down low a little bit? Sure. But that's not anywhere near what Shaq was. From the moment Shaq came in the league he would literally bully his way to the hoop and threw it down regularly. He was a freak of nature.

I'm trying not to say this in a combative way, as I think the guy can be an absolute animal overall, I just don't get where the Shaq comparisons come from. Even in the highlight reel from the preseason on the previous page, there was nothing (and these are highlights) that made me say wow, this guy can be the same explosive, bully in the post dunk machine that Shaq was. What is it you guys are seeing that makes you think that? And I'm asking everyone, as I've seen non-Philly fans say it too, so I'm just trying to get a better idea of what the comparison entails.

Embiid has a greater skillset than Shaq. And I think when it's all said and done he just may be the greatest center ever.

[Slartibartfast]

He looks really good.

The only guy currently in the NBA that big that looks that comfortable facing up is Brook Lopez and Embiid looks substantially quicker than him laterally and vertically (even if he's not particularly explosive).

Brook Lopez with plus athleticism and rebounding ability is a heck of a player.

[DreamTeam09]

Never once did i say Amare or defense. Basically i am looking for him to show consistency before he can be deemed better than anyone or that he is a cross of Shaq and whoever (Shaq was one of the best to play the C position). In my opinion the bar starts with Drummond, he has proven for multiple years that he is one of the top C's currently playing in the nba. Embiid has not played a full year yet on the court. Lets see him hold up to the grind of a few seasons before the hype train loads up and start heading down the tracks.

Yes Embiid has potential, but so did Oden....

Wake me up once he passes Andre Drummond's level.

You responded to a post saying his defense was better than Amare's by asking to be woken up when he's better than Drummond. My apologies for not realizing you were offering a complete non-sequiter then.

My bad i meant to grab DreamTeam09 post the one with the list on the next big wave of bigs (KAT, Porz, Embiid and AD are that new wave of big man).

My comment was meant to only post an opinion---that for me the bar is set at Drummond and should have been on that list. Drummond (23) is around the same age Embiid is 22. By 22 Drummond had already produced 4 successful years in the NBA. Embiid has not produced in the NBA regular season yet. So once he passes Drummond for a few seasons i will buy the hype but until then Drummond is better then him.

I would love to be able to discuss the stats comparing Amare and Embiid, but i can not find any nba season stats on Embiid. The only thing i can say is that by 22 Amare had been producing for 3 years....

Preseason doesn't count. If it did than Tim Frazier would be 3rd in the league Assists...

The reason I didn't put Drummond into that group is because he doesn't nearly have the range at all compared to those guys. Healthy I think I take all of those guys before Drummond. No knock against Drummond either.

[Capn'O]

BTW, if you didn't catch my drift from before... if you're looking at an extreme upside comparison, it's prime Sabonis.

[Marcus]

BTW, if you didn't catch my drift from before... if you're looking at an extreme upside comparison, it's prime Sabonis.

I always thought that's around where KAT might land with his overall skillset on full display.

[Capn'O]

BTW, if you didn't catch my drift from before... if you're looking at an extreme upside comparison, it's prime Sabonis.

I always thought that's around where KAT might land with his overall skillset on full display.

I see why you'd say that skillwise. KAT's not quite that size though. Also, Embiid's a little more fluid but not explosive like KAT.

It a great crop of bigs we're seeing right now. So psyched to see them grow.

[Marcus]

BTW, if you didn't catch my drift from before... if you're looking at an extreme upside comparison, it's prime Sabonis.

I always thought that's around where KAT might land with his overall skillset on full display.

I see why you'd say that skillwise. KAT's not quite that size though. Also, Embiid's a little more fluid but not explosive like KAT.

It a great crop of bigs we're seeing right now. So psyched to see them grow.

andddddd it should be getting better. Bit of a setback with Giles still not quite 100 percent but Ayton (if he can work that motor out) and Carter in 18 will give the league a couple more inside outside bigs to add to the crop plus another physical freak in Mo Bamba as well.

I'm hoping we can get another golden age and make that position mean something again focal point wise.

[76ciology]

Just curious if the league adjusts the rules to compliment these bigs

[Marcus]

Just curious if the league adjusts the rules to compliment these bigs

if they get rid of defensive 3 seconds I'd be happy with that.