’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid

Moderators: Clyde Frazier, Doctor MJ, trex_8063, penbeast0, PaulieWal

Better player?

’90 Ewing
28
74%
’23 Embiid
10
26%
 
Total votes: 38

Matt15
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,534
And1: 547
Joined: Aug 27, 2008

’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#1 » by Matt15 » Tue May 16, 2023 4:18 am

Who was the better player?
ardee
RealGM
Posts: 15,320
And1: 5,397
Joined: Nov 16, 2011

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#2 » by ardee » Tue May 16, 2023 8:38 am

Yeah this is Ewing. He was a monster in the Playoffs that year and actually scored at a higher rate than in the regular season unlike Joel "-9.4" Embiid.

Also Ewing was a much better defender.
Gooner
Head Coach
Posts: 6,591
And1: 5,415
Joined: Sep 02, 2018
 

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#3 » by Gooner » Tue May 16, 2023 8:58 am

Ewing and it's not even close. Nobody would be able to stop him in this era.
User avatar
GSP
RealGM
Posts: 19,561
And1: 16,034
Joined: Dec 12, 2011
     

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#4 » by GSP » Tue May 16, 2023 9:06 am

There are not many bigs who ever peaked higher than 90 Ewing..........what he did to our Bird,Mchale,Parish frontline and Bad Boys 2 of the very best frontcourts.......was some otherwordly ****. Def something playoff dropper Embiid cant even dream of.





These are 2 of the best playoff performances ever by a center........44,13,5 with 7 steals and 2 blocks on .787ts :crazy: :crazy:

Like Jokic prolly peaked higher than 90 Ewing...........but im not THAT confident about it........
FuShengTHEGreat
Analyst
Posts: 3,046
And1: 1,405
Joined: Jan 02, 2010

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#5 » by FuShengTHEGreat » Tue May 16, 2023 9:25 am

GSP wrote:There are not many bigs who ever peaked higher than 90 Ewing..........what he did to our Bird,Mchale,Parish frontline and Bad Boys 2 of the very best frontcourts.......was some otherwordly ****. Def something playoff dropper Embiid cant even dream of.

These are 2 of the best playoff performances ever by a center........44,13,5 with 7 steals and 2 blocks on .787ts :crazy: :crazy:

Like Jokic prolly peaked higher than 90 Ewing...........but im not THAT confident about it........


And what makes that opening round series so impressive is the first 2 games of the series it was like watching the Dream Team vs their opponents at Barcelona 92. Boston was far more talented and scored a NBA record 157 points in game 2. Sweeping NY looked like a mere formality.

That was the greatest individual underdog against the odds comeback performance in NBA playoff history imo.

Just a complete ball busting performance by Ewing.
The Master
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,794
And1: 3,177
Joined: Dec 30, 2016

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#6 » by The Master » Tue May 16, 2023 9:27 am

ardee wrote:Yeah this is Ewing. He was a monster in the Playoffs that year and actually scored at a higher rate than in the regular season unlike Joel "-9.4" Embiid.

Also Ewing was a much better defender.

I don't think Ewing was a much better defender at that time nor I believe crushing old Boston team holds that much of a value since this series was definitely an outlier for Ewing's career, so in perspective it should make you wonder whether it was really monster Ewing or just 'contextualised' Ewing.

That being said, he was obviously much better in the playoffs, so it's defendable here to have him higher. From legacy standpoint, Embiid's season is much more valuable, so it's all about over-/underselling postseason.
User avatar
Jaivl
Head Coach
Posts: 7,029
And1: 6,695
Joined: Jan 28, 2014
Location: A Coruña, Spain
Contact:
   

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#7 » by Jaivl » Tue May 16, 2023 2:12 pm

Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.
This place is a cesspool of mindless ineptitude, mental decrepitude, and intellectual lassitude. I refuse to be sucked any deeper into this whirlpool of groupthink sewage. My opinions have been expressed. I'm going to go take a shower.
migya
General Manager
Posts: 8,046
And1: 1,474
Joined: Aug 13, 2005

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#8 » by migya » Tue May 16, 2023 2:36 pm

Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.



You should watch the videos above.
70sFan
RealGM
Posts: 29,723
And1: 25,035
Joined: Aug 11, 2015
 

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#9 » by 70sFan » Tue May 16, 2023 4:26 pm

migya wrote:
Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.



You should watch the videos above.

Are you serious?
70sFan
RealGM
Posts: 29,723
And1: 25,035
Joined: Aug 11, 2015
 

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#10 » by 70sFan » Tue May 16, 2023 4:27 pm

Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.

I think Embiid is clearly a better offensive player, but I don't think considering 1990 Ewing over 2023 Embiid will be "funny bump" soon. I have struggled with this comparison since 2021 and to me Embiid didn't prove himself to be clearly better than Ewing. MVP doesn't change anything, as I don't think Embiid deserved it over Jokic and Ewing faced stiffer competition in 1990.
Owly
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,614
And1: 3,132
Joined: Mar 12, 2010

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#11 » by Owly » Tue May 16, 2023 5:51 pm

ardee wrote:Yeah this is Ewing. He was a monster in the Playoffs that year and actually scored at a higher rate than in the regular season unlike Joel "-9.4" Embiid.

Also Ewing was a much better defender.

GSP wrote:There are not many bigs who ever peaked higher than 90 Ewing..........what he did to our Bird,Mchale,Parish frontline and Bad Boys 2 of the very best frontcourts ...

Ewing was highly productive in those playoffs.

That said I would understand his primary matchups to be Parish and Edwards (I could be wrong). That they are older (36 and 34) does not necessarily mean ineffective, in light of the hype of the overall frontline (not necessarily the actual matchup) given here ... Ewing should be at a physical advantage. It should also be noted at this point that Parish had a record as pretty severe playoff faller.

In this context both were efficient scorers in their NYK series and Edwards did so at good volume whilst Parish feasted at the offensive glass.

This not to suggest Ewing played poorly. And centers defensive responsibilities can extend beyond "their man". Nevertheless I do think that Ewing's peak production and his strongest playoff production (especially offensively/scoring-wise) can sometimes allow people to miss that "his men" got theirs too. Fwiw - and this, again, is noisy and is by no means a reflection only on Ewing - both the Celtics (119.3) and Pistons (114.5) put up pretty healthy offensive ratings.
User avatar
Woodsanity
RealGM
Posts: 15,241
And1: 12,254
Joined: Mar 30, 2012
 

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#12 » by Woodsanity » Tue May 16, 2023 5:55 pm

Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.

Joel Embiid guarding Jayson Tatum:

24 points
8/10 FG
4/4 3PT
4/4 FT

Never ever put Embiid in the same tier as Ewing defensively. :lol:
He is 2-3 tiers below him.
All NBA Chokers List

PG: Harden
SG: Demar Derozan
SF: Paul George
PF: Karl Malone
C: Embiid (Harden of Centers)
User avatar
Jaivl
Head Coach
Posts: 7,029
And1: 6,695
Joined: Jan 28, 2014
Location: A Coruña, Spain
Contact:
   

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#13 » by Jaivl » Tue May 16, 2023 7:14 pm

70sFan wrote:
Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.

I think Embiid is clearly a better offensive player, but I don't think considering 1990 Ewing over 2023 Embiid will be "funny bump" soon. I have struggled with this comparison since 2021 and to me Embiid didn't prove himself to be clearly better than Ewing. MVP doesn't change anything, as I don't think Embiid deserved it over Jokic and Ewing faced stiffer competition in 1990.

Speaking strictly on offense, of course (as I signaled twice on my post).

Woodsanity wrote:
Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.

Joel Embiid guarding Jayson Tatum:

24 points
8/10 FG
4/4 3PT
4/4 FT

Never ever put Embiid in the same tier as Ewing defensively. :lol:
He is 2-3 tiers below him.

Yeah that goes without saying (although not cause of 1-game samples vs a wing).
This place is a cesspool of mindless ineptitude, mental decrepitude, and intellectual lassitude. I refuse to be sucked any deeper into this whirlpool of groupthink sewage. My opinions have been expressed. I'm going to go take a shower.
User avatar
Woodsanity
RealGM
Posts: 15,241
And1: 12,254
Joined: Mar 30, 2012
 

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#14 » by Woodsanity » Tue May 16, 2023 7:19 pm

Jaivl wrote:
70sFan wrote:
Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.

I think Embiid is clearly a better offensive player, but I don't think considering 1990 Ewing over 2023 Embiid will be "funny bump" soon. I have struggled with this comparison since 2021 and to me Embiid didn't prove himself to be clearly better than Ewing. MVP doesn't change anything, as I don't think Embiid deserved it over Jokic and Ewing faced stiffer competition in 1990.

Speaking strictly on offense, of course (as I signaled twice on my post).

Woodsanity wrote:
Jaivl wrote:Lol, this is absolutely ridiculous -- Embiid is a better offensive player than peak Ewing at every single aspect of the game, other than being faster (making him a better stylistic matchup for the 1990 Celtics' old, plodding bigs).

This seems like it's going to be a very funny bump sometime soon-ish. Open to hear arguments about avaliability, but in terms of (offensive) impact while on court it's night and day.

Joel Embiid guarding Jayson Tatum:

24 points
8/10 FG
4/4 3PT
4/4 FT

Never ever put Embiid in the same tier as Ewing defensively. :lol:
He is 2-3 tiers below him.

Yeah that goes without saying (although not cause of 1-game samples vs a wing).

For some reason I read that as better defense than Ewing my bad. Still the problem with Embiid is his offensive production drops from super elite in RS to very mundane. Huge drop in PPG and efficiency. :o

In RS I would take Embiid over Ewing overall but in PS it flips and you can argue Ewing since the offensive advantage decreases a lot.
All NBA Chokers List

PG: Harden
SG: Demar Derozan
SF: Paul George
PF: Karl Malone
C: Embiid (Harden of Centers)
iggymcfrack
RealGM
Posts: 11,699
And1: 9,198
Joined: Sep 26, 2017

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#15 » by iggymcfrack » Tue May 16, 2023 9:54 pm

I'd take Ewing over this year's Embiid since Joel **** the bed so hard in the playoffs, but I'd probably take 20/21 Embiid over Ewing. Embiid averaged 30/13/4 against the Hawks and these were his on/off numbers:

Regular season: +12.4 NetRtg, +12.3 on/off
Postseason: +14.7 NetRtg, +19.9 on/off

That's pretty unimpeachable. Those Game 4 stats for Ewing against Boston are nuts though. The 7 steals is just mindblowing. Talk about an all-time dominant game.
User avatar
KobesScarf
Veteran
Posts: 2,855
And1: 604
Joined: Jul 17, 2016
 

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#16 » by KobesScarf » Wed May 17, 2023 5:21 am

Ewing played almost 1000 more minutes you can't even compare
User avatar
RHODEY
RealGM
Posts: 24,895
And1: 22,495
Joined: May 18, 2007
Location: Straight out of a comic book

Re: ’90 Patrick Ewing vs ’23 Joel Embiid 

Post#17 » by RHODEY » Wed Aug 28, 2024 3:41 am

Definitely Ewing. Recency bias notwithstanding...

Return to Player Comparisons