Sixers

NBA Execs Fawn All Over Non-All-Star Joel Embiid

By Kyle Scott

Published: Jan 27th, 2017 · 8:29 AM EST

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Bobert Cooney spoke with NBA execs and insiders for a piece on Joel Embiid today, and if you weren’t already damp this morning (WHY WOULD YOU BE?), then allow me… or Bob… or whoever said this to him:

“My thing is, he doesn’t even realize it yet, but, down the road, he’ll probably be more of a power guy in the league,” said one league executive. “Right now he is a wonder finesse player, and he mixes it well with power. But I think in the future he is going to be so powerful and then he’ll be able to mix in the finesse stuff. I’ve been in this league for over 30 years and rarely do you see someone like this kid. There are just so many different aspects to his game that presents problems to opponents.

“He’s a two-shoulder player, meaning when bigs play defense against each other, they choose a shoulder and determine a pivot foot and they guard that way. You can’t do that against Embiid. He can go either way, off either foot. And the fact that he can hit outside jumpers is incredible. Bigs don’t like guarding that. And, like I said, once he really develops his power game and learns the game and learns himself, oh my God, is he going to be good. I don’t throw around the word superstar, but he’s that – a top-three player in the league down the road, in my mind.”

One exec explained that often bigs aren’t that into the game and are playing only because they’re tall. That is, they explained, even more often the case with international players– essentially freaks who were forced into basketball as a viable career path. But they noted that Embiid’s personality, exuberance and work ethic are different. And:

“That’s why, even in the league where the big man is less than an integral part of the game over the past five years, someone like Embiid with his agility, explosiveness and ability to be a force inside, you have to look at like a young Shaq (O’Neal), a bigger Alonzo (Mourning), much more offensively skilled than Dikembe (Mutombo).”

Joel Embiid didn’t make the All-Star team. Resist.

There is more. Oh, there’s much more right here.