The Sixer Sense
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Where exactly will Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid plateau?

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 3: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers play against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 3, 2017 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 3: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers play against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 3, 2017 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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After a 46 point performance, there is plenty of reason to project Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid among the future stars of the NBA. But to what level? How good will good become?

After years of naysayers pricking the optimism bubbles of Philadelphia 76ers fans, the tide has changed dramatically in favor of center Joel Embiid’s supporters. How so? A 46 point outburst from a young man who just played in over one half of an NBA season tells more than any critics will give him credit for. He has the potential to be a true franchise defining player.

And that benefits the NBA at large, the Philadelphia 76ers franchise, but most importantly, it validates the nearly blind trust that so many very intelligent and passionate fans had in the rebuilding process.  Validated to those who believed without seeing. Defended to those who ridiculed.  In the end, the high and mighty who picked apart each and everything which had to do with the decision to draft the highest-upside-but-injury-risk player in the 2014 NBA Draft now appear petty and foolish.

And for those of you who believed, you are spot on.

What is Embiid’s ceiling?

But now that Joel Embiid has emerged as one of the hottest players in the NBA, what is his true ceiling? Let’s think about that for a moment.

Of course, the very first player to come to mind is the Houston Rocket’s great center, Hakeem Olajuwon.  The comparison to Olajuwon is logical and natural, as Embiid has long discussed trying to emulate the great one’s style of play.  So far, in his first two seasons, Joel Embid is doing almost exactly that.  Compare Olajuwon’s 23.5 points per game plus 11.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 3.4 blocks, and 2.0 steals with Embiid’s 23.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.0 steals and you certainly see some similarities.

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    • Yao? Duncan? Robinson?

    Houston had another great one in 7-foot-6 center Yao Ming. While Ming eventually did reach 20 or better points per game, he needed four seasons to do so.  So Olajuwon appears to be a better career path for comparisons.

    Head coach Brett Brown had the luxury of knowing the benefits of elite bigs with the pairing of David Robinson and Tim Duncan with the San Antonio Spurs.  They played together for six seasons and dominated the NBA in that time frame.  Joel Embiid, playing with Ben Simmons, offers the current NBA a similar challenge. Right now, despite a lack of NBA experience, Embiid is meeting each challenge he faces in the NBA. And as such, he has the ability to play at either a David Robinson or Tim Duncan level.

    Building around Embiid was never tanking, but great planning

    The Philadelphia 76ers are constructed around Joel Embiid.  Therefore, the team needs him to play to his full potential.  When he does, Philadelphia dominates. When he does not, other players must step up.

    Far too many presumed that the Philadelphia 76ers election of Joel Embiid simply reinforced the “tanking for a top pick” narrative. The reality is a much simpler, but harsher statement, to the NBA.  The Philadelphia 76ers selected Embiid with the third pick of the 2014 NBA Draft because he was a top-pick rated talent and he fell to three due to concerns over his foot.

    Sam Hinkie knew his impact

    Since then, the team has treated him like NBA royalty, while inventing the infrastructure to meet the specific ongoing needs of the star center.   National media ridiculed the Sixers. Fans trolled the player.

    In his 43rd game, he dropped 46 points.

    You can come at me and every fan, sports writer, coach, and NBA executive who believes that Embiid is indeed special. But the numbers have changed significantly recently.  Joel Embiid is averaging 30 minutes, 23 points, and 11 rebounds per game. And he continues to improve, mature, and lead.

    Next: Robert Covington agrees to four-year extension

    The Philadelphia 76ers have never been about today.  But the future is certainly beginning to impact the present.  As the season advances, these Philadelphia 76ers will continue to improve. At 8-6 already, start thinking playoffs.  Perhaps the team will be speaking with LeBron James in the off-season.