Sixers: Processing the Admiral
In the late 80s, the San Antonio Spurs were looking to emerge from the cellar of the Western Conference. For much of the decade, the team was in disarray, hoping to earn good fortune in the draft. Then, as luck would have it — along with some pretty bad losing — they struck gold with the number one pick in the 1987 draft. Their selection would change the trajectory of franchise and offer hope for the future.
That year, the Spurs took David Robinson at the first overall pick. He was a college phenom, playing for the Navy, and breaking college records along the way. Although Joel Embiid did not have the same prolific college career as Robinson, they both did have to wait some time before playing their first NBA game. Robinson’s career was on hold due to his military commitment, and Embiid missed his first two years due to injury. Once they stepped onto the floor, NBA teams wished the two had still been inactive.
Robinson’s skill as a big man was remarkable, quite similar to Joel Embiid. Just what common traits do they share? We can start with offense.
Embiid has some Admiral in him because of the versatility he shows in the post. As a lefty, Robinson would back down his defender and use a range of moves to score at will most times. Embiid has proven effective in the same situation. Embiid can also showcase his mid-range jumpers and can take a slower man off the dribble the way Robinson used to do. Their ability to finish with power is comparable, and they both did a tremendous job drawing fouls. The shooting edge goes to Embiid though, posting better shooting percentages across the board.
Defensively, Embiid has some Admiral in him, but Robinson was a far better defender. In the 90s, the Spurs’ center dominated as a rim protector and earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year. That season, he averaged 4.5 blocks per game. That is not a typo by the way. He also averaged 2.3 steals and 12.2 rebounds a game that year. If Embiid wants to earn those same stats, he may have to hit the treadmill more and pump more iron because Robinson could leap out the gym and was as ripped and muscular as a young Dwight Howard.
In the end, David Robinson became a champion under Gregg Popovich, playing alongside Tim Duncan. Will Embiid reach those heights with Doc Rivers and Ben Simmons? Sixers fans can only hope.