So how about Joel Embiid

[90sAllDecade]

He looked great, very exciting to watch a big with that kind of skill set develop.

He needs to continue to take his time and develop for the long term, he's going to be one of my favorite other team players to watch.

I hope the Sixers can build around him to allow him to naturally improve his strengths.

[JB2]

He easily had the most potential out of anyone in his draft including the top 3 HS players Wiggins, Randle, and Parker. The ceiling was above Towns' but alas here we are.

I was hoping and hoping he'd fall to LA but Philly did the right thing and I think worst case they have a 16/10 kind of guy with elite D. Best case, Embiid can turn into a monster 25/12 with elite D and range. Embiid, Towns, and Turner are going to be fun to watch take make strides as elite big men.

Philly has a lot to be excited about with Embiid and Simmons. Can't wait to see them move Jah and Noel for wing players and then add a 2 top ten picks this year...

and I say all that as a Laker fan.

[lars_rosenberg]

His jumer is really amazing for a 7-2 center. It's very smooth, he looks like a guard when he shoots.
Great debut for Joel, after years of "potential" it's time to enjoy the process!

[BloodNinja]

No one can deny there were flashes of brilliance tonight, I mean I almost watched an entire 76ers game so something got to be there.

He was great. I had my eyes fixed on him the whole time he was out there and usually I just follow the ball. Obviously still a work in progress but it's hard not to see him racking up 20 & 10 as soon as he's unleashed.

What a contrast this season opener is compared to last season. The 76ers actually played some beautiful basketball tonight but just fell short of the W. They'll be competitive most nights this season.

[RunOKC]

embiid is nice, but man jahlil okafor's talent is being wasted on the bench....sixers need to move him for a future 1st or another young player

Heard he likes Boston, and I think they have the Nets pick for another 5 years or something

[bakesale]

embiid is nice, but man jahlil okafor's talent is being wasted on the bench....sixers need to move him for a future 1st or another young player

he's on minutes restriction, he's only just come back from injury too.

[MrSparkle]

Embiid looks amazing, though of course a rookie.

He could be the best center since Shaq, if he can stay healthy. Cousins doesn't have the speed, length and range. KAT is elite too, but man... Embiid's footwork is really advanced... Coupled with his great hands...

I would love to see centers take over the league again. Getting pretty sick of the small-ball/jack-3Ps charade.

[bondom34]

Yeah I may have to get to a Sixers game this year in Philly to see this guy.

[jpengland]

He's a beast. An absolute beast.

He's the perfect modern C, he can face up, play back to basket and range out to the three. He protects the rim, can switch on guards out to the perimeter and runs the floor well.

If he stays healthy he's a true franchise cornerstone and probably HOFer.

Obviously needs to work on fouls and turnovers but what rookie big doesn't.

[E-Balla]

Philly needs to move someone soon. They have so many legit young bigs and they need minutes. Noel to Boston and/or Okafor to NO would get valuable returns (like Buddy and a few picks) while destroying the logjam for a Sergio-Thompson-Saric-Simmons-Embiid lineup. I'd love to see that but it won't happen until Simmons and Noel hit the floor and Philly figures out their best lineups.

[3Diamantidis]

Love him already. Please stay healthy.
AD, KAT , DMC and him.
Best C quarteto since hakeem, robinson, o'neal, ewing?

[Spens1]

Philly needs to move someone soon. They have so many legit young bigs and they need minutes. Noel to Boston and/or Okafor to NO would get valuable returns (like Buddy and a few picks) while destroying the logjam for a Sergio-Thompson-Saric-Simmons-Embiid lineup. I'd love to see that but it won't happen until Simmons and Noel hit the floor and Philly figures out their best lineups.

Honestly Okafor looked the goods, so maybe send out Noel along with someone else and bring in a legit young P.G (not sure who that is but they need one, especially since Simmons is out for the year).

[E-Balla]

Philly needs to move someone soon. They have so many legit young bigs and they need minutes. Noel to Boston and/or Okafor to NO would get valuable returns (like Buddy and a few picks) while destroying the logjam for a Sergio-Thompson-Saric-Simmons-Embiid lineup. I'd love to see that but it won't happen until Simmons and Noel hit the floor and Philly figures out their best lineups.

Honestly Okafor looked the goods, so maybe send out Noel along with someone else and bring in a legit young P.G (not sure who that is but they need one, especially since Simmons is out for the year).

Okafor looks good so you want to leave him on the bench instead of moving him for another player that looks good that can actually be used? Sure.

And they have a legit PG his name is Sergio Rodriguez. He improved a lot over the last 6 years and he's beyond good enough. They really need a SG and they can move Okafor or Noel for a real SG. Keeping any combination of the 3 does nothing for them if all 3 are starting level and they're already deep at PF and C outside of the 3.

[dautjazz]

Glad this year I payed for the entire league pass, and not just for the Jazz. I want to follow Embiid, Lebron, maybe some Warriors, Westbrook, etc.. There really is a lot to look forward to this season. Sucks Simmons is out, but these SIxers look ahead of schedule, the Rudy Fernandez signing can turn out to be huge.

[eagereyez]

Glad this year I payed for the entire league pass, and not just for the Jazz. I want to follow Embiid, Lebron, maybe some Warriors, Westbrook, etc.. There really is a lot to look forward to this season. Sucks Simmons is out, but these SIxers look ahead of schedule, the Rudy Fernandez signing can turn out to be huge.

It's actually Sergio Rodriguez, but close enough.

[lorak]

Watch on YouTube

[QRich3]

The matchup with Adams was tough for him, but I loved that he recognized that he wasn't going anywhere backing him down and started facing up. He shows a lot of intelligence in stuff like that. Loved that he was directing teammates when he was isolating so that he always had a shooter on the strong side so he couldn't get doubled. Little stuff like that shows how good he's gonna be when he gets more experience.

Still, he needs to stop trying to be everywhere and do everything, and just let the game come to him, as much of a cliche as it sounds. He messes way too many possessions on both ends by being too anxious. I'm hoping he stays healthy and we can see what he develops into in 2-3 years, when he irons out these things.

Sergio in indeed gonna be a very good stop gap PG for him, a guy that always makes the right pass and doesn't try to do too much. I agree that they need to trade one of their big men for a SG asap though, having Henderson be your full time SG is cringey for this team.

[dautjazz]

Glad this year I payed for the entire league pass, and not just for the Jazz. I want to follow Embiid, Lebron, maybe some Warriors, Westbrook, etc.. There really is a lot to look forward to this season. Sucks Simmons is out, but these SIxers look ahead of schedule, the Rudy Fernandez signing can turn out to be huge.

It's actually Sergio Rodriguez, but close enough.

LMAO ooops

[DayofMourning]

Next shooting star I see, I'm wishing perfect health for Embiid. The era of big men is coming back!

[DK-All Day]

Not quite buying the Hakeem comparisons. guys like that come along once. Embiid is special though. Hope he stays healthy as he's a joy to watch.