The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76er Joel Embiid Taking It To Next Level

By Bret Stuter

Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid practices prior to a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid practices prior to a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid practices before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid practices before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The NBA player

So he is finally emerging from his rehabilitation and actually becoming an active NBA player soon. But at which position, at what level?

For now, without actually seeing him play with teammates on the court at the same time, we project Embiid to fill a role at the power forward position primarily.  While some would argue that his size dictates he is exclusively used as a center, both Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel are more limited in their positions.   Embiid appears to have that special physicality to play the post, but he also has a complete arsenal of agility, savvy, wingspan, and quickness that has propelled him to excel on defense as well.

And his three point shooting ? Well, it’s coming along nicely.   Here’s another shooting drill video.   This was just at the beginning of the year.  He is improving on a daily basis.  Eventually, we’ll begin to see videos surfacing of his man on man drills.   Eventually, he will work up to the five on five drills, and then we’ll be able to see just how NBA ready he has become, or maintained.

Next: Philadelphia 76er Elton Brand Proves NBA Is In His Blood

The Philadelphia 76ers are a young team with a great deal of potential.  But one young man is maturing off-stage.  The metamorphasis of Joel Embiid is now entering the next level.   While I cannot promise that each and every NBA fan’s expectations and hopes will be realized, I can guarantee that the hopes of one man will be realized.  Embiid will  finally be an NBA player.   I think the rest of the NBA will be impressed with that.