The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: What to make of the Joel Embiid-Deandre Ayton rivalry

Christopher Kline|
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: DeAndre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: DeAndre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Do the Philadelphia 76ers star and reigning No. 1 pick already have a rivalry brewing?

Few players invite one-on-one rivalries like Joel Embiid. The Philadelphia 76ers star has long been a social media savant, calling out players with smooth captions and creative Instagram locations. And he backs it up on the court, earning the label of best center in basketball.

That will naturally lead to beefs, whether it be players he outperforms (Hassan Whiteside, Andre Drummond) or those who want to reach his level. There is no better example of the latter category than Suns rookie Deandre Ayton.

The reigning top pick has made it clear Embiid is a matchup he’s looking forward to. When asked to sketch his own basketball card for Panini, the man he’s dunking on happens to be wearing No. 21. He isn’t referencing Tim Duncan.

Embiid, of course, took to Twitter with a classic response of his own. And thus a new rivalry (?) was born.

This is obviously a light-hearted feud between two immensely talented players. The matchups may get heated on the court, but there isn’t any bad blood here. This isn’t the same as Embiid vs. Whiteside, who pushed Embiid in the back last season.

As for calling it a great rivalry — as some have suggested — it make take a few years for the on-court product to reach that level. I’m all for Twitter shots and confident interviews, but Ayton is still years way from challenging Embiid as one of the best bigs in the league.

Ayton is a physical specimen at 7-foot-1, but Embiid is taller, stronger and more skilled. He’s also an elite defensive presence, cleaning up the glass and protecting the rim en route to Defensive Player of the Year runner-up. Ayton was a certifiably bad defender at Arizona

With more time and development, Ayton has the budding skill set and physical tools needed to become one of the most impactful 7-footers on the planet. While he wasn’t the consensus No. 1 prospect — I, for one, had Luka Doncic — his upside is undeniable.

He’ll also be placed in an ideal situation with the Suns. Phoenix already has spacing and multiple playmakers around him, allowing Igor Kokoskov to push the tempo while putting Ayton in spots where his size, mobility and skill can shine.

As his defensive awareness improves, Ayton should elevate himself to an All-Star level. For the time being, however, Embiid is the far superior player — and the matchups won’t be particularly close.