Embiid’s Ceiling
The highest yet most challenging upside to predict is that of center Joel Embiid. Standing at 7-foot-2, yet sitting for over two seasons, there are reasons to believe his future is very nebulous.
If he had spent the last two seasons simply eating bon bons, I’d agree. But Joel Embiid has spent two seasons absorbing a mountain of disdain from social media, and using that as fuel to power himself through painful rehabilitation and training.
And he has virtually a photographic memory when it comes to learning NBA moves.
The story of Joel Embiid’s NBA journey is a long one, and involves much of the finest of modern medicine. The Philadelphia 76ers believed he was worth it, and still do.
You see, the 76ers believe that Joel Embiid is a game changing to the center position as Ben Simmons is changing the perspective of point guard. His athleticism shines both on offense and defense.
A good “utopia” scenario would be somewhat like the rookie season of Hakeem Olajuwon. Embiid was drawn to NBA competition after watching Olajuwon’s highlight video, so it would be truly special for his debut to make a similar NBA impact.
As a 22 year old, Olajuwon played 35.5 minutes per game in all 82 games of the 1984-1985 season. He scored 20.6 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked 2.7 shots per night. While we know that Embiid will not play that length of time per game in his first year, an average of 24 minutes per game, 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocked shots would be just as significant, and actually appears quite doable.