The Sixer Sense
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Joel Embiid Wears No. 21 Because of Tim Duncan

By Josh Wilson

May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tim Duncan is a basketball inspiration to Joel Embiid, who will wear No. 21 on his jersey, inspired by Duncan who wore the same number.

Joel Embiid and Tim Duncan will never cross paths in an NBA game, but the two players do share some connections. Although Embiid has a lot to prove before being put on “Duncan status” he does strive to be like him.

Duncan announced his retirement from the NBA on Monday. While he’s of the caliber of Derek Jeter or Kobe Bryant, there was no farewell tour, no gifts from all 30 teams, and not even a press conference. Just a subtle press release. Really, it’s what we’d expect from the soft-spoken Duncan.

Embiid, on the other hand, is a bit more outspoken, humorous, and all-around talkative. He’s often joking about how many Shirley Temples he consumes a day, or talking about how he loves Rihanna.

But on the day of Duncan’s retirement, he paid tribute to Timmy with a tweet, and revealed to us that Duncan is the reason Embiid wears No. 21 (or will wear, once he gets on the court).

Embiid then poked fun at the often relaxed effort Duncan put into his style, often donning too-large t-shirts and button ups, along with sandals typically worn by the dads of all dads.

Duncan averaged 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game over the course of his career. If Embiid can be even close to as good as Duncan was for so many years, they will be set up well for the future, especially with Ben Simmons joining the team, too.

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Embiid has sat out the first two seasons with injury, but appears ready to go for this season. He has a lot of the same big-man tools as Duncan, and the Sixers are somewhat stuck with him for the time being, having to move either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor to give him the playing time to work with.