The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Five menu items from Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs before the game against the Miami Heat on February 11, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers signs autographs before the game against the Miami Heat on February 11, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 14: Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 14: Joel Embiid /

Entree V: He will average better than 3.0 blocks per game

This is probably the boldest claim of the bunch, but one that will have a strong chance of success.  The NBA is going small. The 2017 NBA Draft was a backcourt draft.  Players are storming the NBA from the NCAA with high scoring ideals. After all, in the NCAA, center play is fading.

But in the NBA, there are still pockets of center superiority. And without NCAA experience, you can bet the best of the NBA will feast like nobody’s business on the new talent as it arrives.

Established defender

Embiid has already established himself as quite the defender.  His height and wingspan are as good as it gets in the NBA.  And he uses both to their fullest advantage.  While he averaged just 2.5 blocks per game last season, he managed to hit the five blocks in a game twice, and four blocks in a game four times last year.

He was still learning the game.

This year, he knows his team, his opponents, and his own capability.  As such, he will be far more effective in the paint.  The best of the NBA historically use the 3.0 blocks per game as the standard for elitism.  So far only Manute Bol, Mark Eaton, and Hakeem Olajuwon have career averages that exceed that make.  Joel Embiid could begin the next career to challenge that landmark statistic.

Next: 7 reasons why the Sixers will be better than the Lakers

Five menu items from the Philadelphia 76ers kitchen of  center Joel Embiid.  Hope you are hungry Philadelphia!