If you combined three all-time NBA centers, what current day player would you get? If you guessed Joel Embiid, you are correct. Who are these legends, and what blend of their skills does the Philadelphia 76ers’ center showcase?
Joel Embiid is in a league of his own. No other big man on the planet can impact a game the way he does on BOTH sides of the ball. As a true center, he posts up with frequency, punishing an opponent on the block on any given night. Yet, he can draw that same defender out to the 3-point line and launch a shot with career-high accuracy. No need to mention Embiid’s midrange game, which is unparalleled. Take a look at his shooting spots for a single game and the court will be dotted all over like a Union war map targeting Confederate bases in the south. The man’s diverse shooting skill is just that nasty.
Defensively, Embiid claims the title of supreme beast of the paint. He towers over smaller opponents, making them think twice about two things every time — should I shoot it, and if I do, how high should I change my arc? Against opponents his own size, well, just look at how Embiid dominates Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, and Andre Drummond. The effect he has on his peers is astounding, which is why this analysis comes at a time when the NBA big man was on its way to extinction. We have Joel Embiid to thank for the sudden halt.
Whether he is playing offense or defense, Joel Embiid has the rare ability to single-handedly decide the outcome of a game. He is in a unique category that NBA fans of yesteryear can relate to because of the kind of game Embiid plays. In an NBA world filled with a plethora of forwards and guards who run to the 3-point line now more than ever, Joel Embiid possesses traits similar to legendary big men who once played in a more rugged era.
Let’s take a look at how Joel Embiid is the perfect blend of several NBA Hall of Fame centers.