Alonzo Mourning vs Joel Embiid

durantbird · Post #1 » by **durantbird** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:17 am

Who would you pick? Peak Zo or current Embiid?

70sFan · Post #2 » by **70sFan** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:54 am

Embiid is much more talented, but Zo worked so much harder. I don't think that Embiid is as good as 1998-00 Mourning, Zo was better defensively and I don't like Embiid's approach on offense. He can be one of the best offensive centers ever, but he hasn't shown to be that good yet. Embiid is also poor playoffs performer so far in his career, while Zo was always consistent with his game.

In a summary - Mourning was far more limited player but sometimes hard working limited player is better than much more talented one.

Dutchball97 · Post #3 » by **Dutchball97** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 9:10 am

Embiid has a higher celing but he has yet to reach the level of Mourning around 2000.

KGtabake · Post #4 » by **KGtabake** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:25 am

Embiid is much more talented.
But Mourning was much more tougher. Zo.

Hornet Mania · Post #5 » by **Hornet Mania** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:19 pm

For now it's definitely Zo for me, he's got Embiid beat on both peak and longevity. I can't rule out the possibility of Embiid leapfrogging him though if he stays healthy, he certainly has the talent.

OdomFan · Post #6 » by **OdomFan** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 2:24 pm

Embiid has a better jump shot, but everything else is either even or I'm taking Zo. Especially on the defensive end. Embiid however is more geared towards defending outside shooters because of the differences of the eras.

NW BBALL · Post #7 » by **NW BBALL** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 4:41 pm

Mourning had a mental and physical toughness that I cannot imagine Embiid approaching.

TheBomb81 · Post #8 » by **TheBomb81** » Wed Apr 1, 2020 1:19 am

Alonzo Mourning.

durantbird · Post #9 » by **durantbird** » Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:44 pm

Seems like this has changed

Laimbeer · Post #10 » by **Laimbeer** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:50 pm

Embiid is more talented and more versatile on both ends. He is better able to switch and can initiate offense in multiple ways. He's taken a leap past Zo's peak this season.

But Zo is better because he's "tough"? Sounds like nostalgia to me.

70sFan · Post #11 » by **70sFan** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:16 pm

Laimbeer wrote:Embiid is more talented and more versatile on both ends. He is better able to switch and can initiate offense in multiple ways. He's taken a leap past Zo's peak this season.

But Zo is better because he's "tough"? Sounds like nostalgia to me.

The thread was made a year ago, Embiid improved this season significantly. He's clearly better than Zo ever was, but it doesn't mean that we were wrong back then.

That said, I don't see "better able to switch" or "more versatile" on defense.

thelead · Post #12 » by **thelead** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:18 pm

Embiid

Post #13 » by **nate33** » Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:40 pm

This is a no brainer. Embiid right now is way better than the best Zo ever had to offer.

At his peak, Zo was getting 33 points and 15 boards per 100 possessions. Embiid is getting 45 points and 16 boards per 100 possession on essentially the same league-adjusted TS%. That's a MASSIVE disparity in scoring volume.

Defensively, Zo blocked more shots, but I'm not sure if he was any better of a rim protector. Embiid is so huge that his mere presence deters shots at the rim. Overall, I'd give Zo the small edge on D. He was DOPY after all. Embiid is probably a top 5 defender, but not quite DOPY-caliber.