The Sixer Sense
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76ers Brown Pulls Plug On Power Forwarding Jahlil Okafor

Jan 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) reacts with head coach Brett Brown after his score during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) reacts with head coach Brett Brown after his score during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid Will Add A New Wrinkle

If height gives an advantage, then the Sixers are sitting on a diamond mine. Joel Embiid has grown to 7’2″ in height, and his reputation is keeping pace. And it’s been two years since the team took a flyer on drafting him in the 2014 NBA draft. But despite the long wait, the risk of erosion of Embiid’s many basketball talents, the news of Joel Embiid’s attitude and his perseverance has given the Sixers the chance at having the last laugh on the NBA.

Few teams would have given such a promising young man a chance so early in the NBA draft. But the Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off giving a similar chance to Nerlens Noel, were overjoyed to have Embiid fall to them at number three.

But this road has been not for the faint of heart.  Few other teams in the NBA would have shown the devotion to a player who has yet to play a minute of NBA regulation basketball.  And few players in the NBA would take a two year path to the NBA following the draft and actually appear stronger and more NBA ready from the experience.

And he does. He was rumored to have been hooked on Shirley Temples when he was between therapy. Must have worked for him.

Embiid has a remarkably unique ability to play a post game but pop out to the perimeter and drain threys. His anticipated arrival complicates the Sixers current situation as he will likely play better with either Okafor or Noel. But before they are all paired up, it will be impossible to judge how to best structure their chemistry and court compatibility.

Next: Is A Trade Inevitable?