Joel Embiid
Embiid is an enigma of a player. Sometimes, when the mid-range jumper is falling and the ball is moving, Embiid is unstoppable. But sometimes, Embiid turns into a Dwight Howard-esque black hole offensively — ball goes in, turnovers come out. JoJo’s dirty secret is that he’s not an extremely dominant offensive player.
Of course, part of this is because Embiid is the last true post-up center. Only 30 percent of Embiid’s buckets were assisted this season. Compare this to Capela’s 90 percent, KAT’s 60 percent, and even the post up wizard himself: Anthony Davis‘s 45 percent. But the fact remains that Embiid might look like Hakeem sometimes, but he can play like more of a LaMarcus Aldridge.
No, Embiid’s value lies defensively. The most impressive thing about Embiid’s defense isn’t his ridiculous blocks/attempts defended ratio (second in the league) or his on-off defensive ratings with the rest of the roster. The thing that makes Joel stand above Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant and other Defensive Player of the Year pretenders is his deterrence effect.
Only two players in the NBA deter more than five shots at the rim per 100 possessions: Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid. If Embiid can figure out consistent offense, he’ll be a menace on both sides of the ball.
Improvements Needed:
- Offensive consistency
- Post efficiency
- Stamina
- Defending the perimeter (at least against Aron Baynes)