Joel Embiid Is the Ultimate Test For the Philadelphia 76ers

Oct 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Jahlil Okafor (right) watch from the bench during the final minutes of a game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center. The Utah Jazz won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

They Can’t Keep Three Bigs

When the Sixers drafted injured Joel Embiid, with an injured Nerlens Noel returning from injury, nobody could anticipate the two would not play a single game together more than a year later.  In fact, when the Sixers drafted a third center in Jahlil Okafor, the perception was such that many expected someone to be traded before the season began.

But no trade happened.

When the 2016 season happens upon us, there will be many decisions to be made.   I won’t consider vacating spots to make way for the arrival of three collegiate centers on the same team, but simply the compatibility of three bigs on this team.  Can it be done?

If anyone can do it, Brett Brown can.

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There are several ways to run this trio – either allow three of them to man two positions (in this scenario, center and power forward) and run them in alternating schedules .  In a second scenario, they can let Jahlil Okafor play the post, and rotate Embiid or Noel as the second big.  In either case, they have very good passing skills and can develop a style of opening the middle by passing to one another down low in the post.

But there are other ways to engage all three.  At 7′, Joel Embiid would be almost impossible to block if he set up outside the perimeter and drained treys throughout the game.  The expectation of what Embiid can do will be just that… his style, much like that of Nerlens Noel, is versatile enough to allow the team to graft three bigs into two positions on the floor.  And with three large bodies who are strong on defense and can play the post, the team evolves.

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But evolution is NOT revolution.  Sports casters and writers seem to confuse the two. Evolution is a slow methodical process which advances progress.  Revolution is a violent change which simply changes a direction.  Evolution improves.  Revolution can go from bad to worse.  Ultimately the Philadelphia 76ers must win games.  Ultimately the player moves must pan out.  But Sam Hinkie has set up the Sixers like a game of gin rummy.   When you see what he really held in his hand, it’s too late to do anything about it.

Now, back to the Lakers game.  We are playing for their first round draft pick.