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Philadelphia 76ers rookie center Joel Embiid has played just 18 Games. But in 18 games, his production is far higher than many thought possible
Rookie center Joel Embiid has played in just 18 NBA games this season out of the possible 27 games played by the Philadelphia 76ers. While that is merely two of three, it’s been enough to keep Joel Embiid’s development on a sharp incline.
In fact, his development has been more impressive than even Embiid’s staunchest supporters had hoped for. Wasn’t this the player who sat on the NBA bench for two consecutive seasons while rehabbing his two-times surgery right foot? Wasn’t this the young man who had just under one year of NCAA competition basketball as a University of Kansas Jayhawk? Wasn’t this the young man whose basketball experience was too shallow for many scouts to fully endorse him as a bona fide prospect who could be the cornerstone to an NBA franchise?
Yes. In fact, yes yes and yes.
It’s a testimony to the basketball instincts of former president Sam Hinkie. Despite the enormous cost of patience, time and energy, Hinkie was resolute in the belief that Embiid was worth the effort.
I hope he was able to see the game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Dec 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dribbles as Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends during the first quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Oh What A Night!
His 33 points 10 rebounds 3 blocks 2 steals 1 assist performance in the one-point win against the Brooklyn Nets was the best of his novice career, but he continues to improve each week. From his two game October 2016, he has shown steady improvement. His scoring has increased by 1.7 points per game, rebounds increased 2.3 per game, assists 2.0 per game, blocks .7 per game, and steals .5 per game.
At his current pace, he will have started in approximately 60 games. With his rate of improvement, by season’s end, he will be scoring at a pace of 25 points per game, rebounding at 12 rebounds per game, blocking 4.6 shots per game, steal 2.0 per game, and handing out 4.5 assists per game.
And that is at the end of season one.
There is a reason why Nerlens Noel is so very frustrated right now. Joel Embiid is taking the Philadelphia 76ers, and the entire NBA, by storm.
Dec 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looses control of an alley-oop pass in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 100-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle…
On a well developed team, with plenty of talent around him, Joel Embiid could certainly hold his own. But on the Philadelphia 76ers, particularly one sans Ben Simmons, Embiid will draw more than his share of defender’s attention. That undue attention makes his performance all the more amplified.
Joel Embiid’s versatility and pure athleticism has given rise to a new NBA term: the stretch-five. But with the Philadelphia 76ers in need of talent at so many positions, it’s tempting to slide Embiid out to the four and see if there is any synergy paired up with Jahlil Okafor.
Ultimately, head coach Brett Brown wants to play his five best players. While all permutations of a starting five include Embiid, the rigidity of Jahlil Okafor at center has required Brown to give Embiid a look at the four.
While the early pairing has mixed results, be patient. It’s a tough move to pull off on the fly in the NBA. But this is Joel Embiid, a young man who is still just 18 games into this stellar NBA career.
If anyone can pull out the nearly impossible, Embiid can.
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
A Star, a star, shining in the night…
Joel Embiid has brought more than “the goods” to the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s done more than validate the entire “Trust The Process” movement that has brought fans to this point in time.
He’s delivered the keystone to the Philadelphia 76ers. When Ben Simmons faltered with his own foot injury, Joel Embiid was able to step up and shine at the dark thoughts of a season without the top draft pick from the 2016 NBA Draft.
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In fact, he’s done such an incredible job, that few have even noticed the absence of Ben Simmons from this lineup. That’s some incredible debut.
Embiid’s success opens up the many paths before this team. While we’ve discussed the option of some future “Tall Ball” lineup, that is not the only option open to this team. One key to the tall ball option is the compatibility of Embiid at the four with some 76ers center. It’s always a challenge to develop players in unfamiliar positions on the fly, a challenge some wish the team would avoid.
But the presence of Embiid and Simmons allows the team to consider a positionless line-up as well. With Saric, Covington, Bayless, and in some regard Henderson, Stauskas, and Holmes, the 76ers have enough players with multi-positional skillsets who can cause fits among their NBA opponents.
Joel Embiid was always the key to this team in the eyes of Sam Hinkie. Thankfully so, because even my aging eyes see the image that is forming. A bright future.
