Philadelphia 76ers Await Game Changer Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers are still waiting on their injured “rookie” Joel Embiid, but he still has star potential.

In the late 1970s, the emergence of NBA stardom found the “pivot-men” center stage. Prior to this, according to legends like Henry Iba, centers were referred to as “lumbering” and slow, (although effective) not to mention unexciting. Well, before this era, basketball encountered larger than life players like George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlain, at a time when the NBA tried rule changes that effected other big men of note. Many centers saw their statistics diminish after the 1950s.

One thing is certain: To win games and multiple titles in the NBA, it helps to have a skilled, seasoned dominant big man or center to anchor the front court and to build a winner. Also true is how rarely a marquee center comes around. Players like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal do not surface often.

Enter the greatest Philadelphia 76ers player we have never seen, Joel Embiid, the 7-foot center taken by the Sixers in the 2014 NBA draft, who has undergone two foot surgeries and has failed to see the court in a real game thus far. That could soon change. Brett Brown recently commented that:

"“I think that he’s coming along tremendously,” Brown said. “I think that, from a maturity standpoint and the reality of the professionalism that is required for him to be money and just perfect with the rehab, pre-hab, nutrition, all of that with his foot is ever present in Joel Embiid. I think that he is all over the place, on track, to have just a solid first year. There could be minute restrictions on his first year where we start off the season slowly with him, but in general, I know he’s just so excited to get out and play basketball again.”"

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Hinkie‘s replacement, and new Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo, also elaborated on Embiid’s progress. Colangelo said that the 22-year-old center will eventually will be cleared:

"“At what point, I’m not sure yet, but he looks terrific in his drill work,” Colangelo said. “He’s coming along. That’s not to get over-hyped about it. It’s just to say he’s progressing well, and that’s encouraging for all of us.”"

Many Sixers fans will believe it when they see it. Sixers fans have every right to be skeptical, but perhaps there is room for sensitivity and optimism within the realism: If you looked at Joel Embiid, it was obvious from the start what the anticipations and comparisons were all about. (i.e. Tim Duncan & Hakeem Olajuwon).

He is still a young player and ultimately, he still has time. He stands at a legitimate 7’0″ (and reportedly has shot up to 7’2″) and has a frame that can absorb weight and bear bulk muscle. If he can stay healthy, stay durable and pile up eventual minutes, the sky is the limit.

Coach Brett Brown has long hoped for great things on the court but also wishes for Embiid to lead:

"“I’m desperately trying to build something that’s not top-driven. I don’t want it to be top-driven down. It needs to be the team dictating some rules and habits. And what is culture? What’s the behavior we want amongst our players? And I think the most powerful way to do that is something that’s player-driven.”"

These comments were made in regard to Embiid and his potential as a contributor in these key areas. Here are five reasons to recall why this guy is so good:

Footwork

Embiid has had a pro-level game and pro-level approach for some time. Anyone who can master the “Dream Shake” has solid pro-potential.

Tyler R. Tynes has written of Emiid’s game:

"“[Embiid] has the upside offensively to make a difference, has shown advanced post moves and counter moves as well as a mid-range game, very quick for his size and shows strong shooting mechanics. Has jump hooks with both hands, up-and-under moves, dream shakes, post-spins, solid footwork and drop-steps.”"

Right-Handed Jump Hook

This move is almost impossible-to-stop considering his size and speed.

Left-Handed Jump Hook

This move is almost impossible to stop considering it is a counter move to an already near impossible-to-stop go to move.

Statistics Don’t Tell Everything

Embiid is a competitor and a screener, stuff observed by Hinkie and not on paper. He gives up his body to free people and comes back to the ball to get high percentage touches. He will be selected by fantasy draft gurus and they won’t even know why it was a good pick.

Intangibles

Embiid brings to the Sixers the attributes of a good teammate. He is a positive person and interacts well with the core group especially well.

Consider Hinkie:

"“I do believe in being open to our players with where we are. Joel has been in our last few draft workouts,” he said. “They (Noel and Embiid) both worked out [Monday] together and individually. I ask them questions about their old college teammates. I ask them questions about their old high school teammates. I ask them questions about the draft and who they like because I am curious, and because they have better information in some ways.”"

So Joel Emiid is expected to play. If he plays, all Sixers fans will undoubtedly take more than a casual interest.