Reason I: He was too good to pass up
Let’s face it. The number of 7-foot-2 basketball players available in a draft is growing, but is still a small number. The number of 7-foot-2 basketball players who can do what Joel Embiid does is one: Joel Embiid.
But let’s not focus on what Joel Embiid does as a player personally. Let’s focus on the dimensions, and the potential, of 7-foot-2 at the basket. At 7-foot-2, the rest of the NBA looks smaller. That’s the reality. For taller players, they cannot carry the weight in the longer form to truly play physical at the center position. For shorter players, they can add more muscle, but at the height disadvantage. So Anzejs Pasecniks is 7-foot-2. So what?
He can work the basketball court
Ah, but he can play.
And it’s that combination of size and skill that made him rare enough in the NBA Draft to persuade the Philadelphia 76ers to move up to get him. He has the size and instincts to play defense. He has the courage and moves to play offense.
Win win.