Joel Embiid

[Bosstown]

Can someone please educate me on this kid? Everything I'm reading seems to say "he's raw, but extremely athletic and coordinated for someone his height". He's averaging 9 pts/ 7rbs in 18 minutes a game, so it seems his conditioning isn't there yet but i like those numbers a lot!

I'm a little hesitant to pick this guy, he seems too similar to a Mouhamed Sene. Super athletic and hasn't played basketball for too long. I know the kid is playing college ball in the states so that is a plus.

Thoughts on this kid?

[Chris]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good. 

[TwinTower14]

I have seen most of Kansas's game and I am starting to like him more than Wiggins.  For someone that hasn't played a lot of basketball he has tremendous instincts.  He passes great out of the post and he is a crazy athlete. 

Two plays he made stood out - First he got the ball on left low block, he immediately pulled off a spin move towards the baseline, beat his man and as the help defender closed on him, he hit Perry Ellis with a no look pass for an easy two.

Second - similar play, he got the ball on the left block again, executed the same spin move but finished this play with a reverse lay-up for two. 

He also has a nice stroke from the free throw line, where I think he could shoot in the 70's at some point.

As with many young / inexperienced big men he finds himself in foul trouble. 

The only player I would definitely take over him is Parker...

[Bosstown]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?

[manl_lui]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?

I was JUST about to ask that since I've seen many people compare him to Hakeem. Wasn't Hakeem considered raw when he was in college? 9 pt and 7 rebounds in 18 minutes sounds good, if in terms of potential goes, translate that to 30-40 minutes a game and he could be great!

[TwinTower14]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?
[/quoute

He is bigger than Hakeem, he is a legit 7 footer.  Say if everything breaks his way and he develops.  I say he fills out like Howard, with a better offensive game but not the rebounder or defender....

[McHales Pits]

The report regarding Embiid's athleticism, footwork, and coordination is accurate. He is not fully utilized in Kansas' team offense as he is limited to put backs, lobs, or close buckets when teammates find him - which is fine, that is a good place for your 7'1" center to be. But skill-wise, Embiid is a more advanced player than that. He actually has a solid face-up game with shooting range that extends to 18 feet and looks very smooth putting the ball on the floor and getting to the hoop. His production in such little playing time is very impressive and with every game that passes - as Chris said - the risk surrounding him is shrinking. With every game played and every practice he attends, his knowledge of the game/fundamentals is growing. That combined with his physical skills and he has immense potential. I'd imagine that he could overtake Randle for the #3 spot by the end of the season.

[Mr October]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?

I think Hakeem is embiid's super high ceiling, due to his potential based on other things you are reading in this thread.

Right now i think Andre Drummond or Andrew Bynum is a closer ceiling path.

The biggest difference between Embiid and a dominant center like Hakeem is a killer instinct. So far i haven't seen it in him. But, its early in his freshman year on a stacked team.

[Chris]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?

I never saw Hakeem in college, so it is hard to make a direct comparison.  But my instinct is that the comparison is more about their path to basketball, rather than their actual games.

Embiid has some skills, but he isn't Hakeem.  He seems closer to a taller Serge Ibaka to me.  I think his game will be mostly about defense, but he will be able to fit in to a team offense. 

[manl_lui]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?

I think Hakeem is embiid's super high ceiling, due to his potential based on other things you are reading in this thread.

Right now i think Andre Drummond or Andrew Bynum is a closer ceiling path.

The biggest difference between Embiid and a dominant center like Hakeem is a killer instinct. So far i haven't seen it in him. But, its early in his freshman year on a stacked team.

I'll take that, Andre Drummond is a beast right now and Bynum when healthy was a very good center, arguably a top 5 center in the league.

Yes on the killer instinct too, imo, if he plays a Roy Hibbert or Jeff Green (OKC Green) type of role, he can do a lot of damage. Just imagine on breaks with Bradley, Green and Embiid.

[Mr October]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?

I think Hakeem is embiid's super high ceiling, due to his potential based on other things you are reading in this thread.

Right now i think Andre Drummond or Andrew Bynum is a closer ceiling path.

The biggest difference between Embiid and a dominant center like Hakeem is a killer instinct. So far i haven't seen it in him. But, its early in his freshman year on a stacked team.

I'll take that, Andre Drummond is a beast right now and Bynum when healthy was a very good center, arguably a top 5 center in the league.

Yes on the killer instinct too, imo, if he plays a Roy Hibbert or Jeff Green (OKC Green) type of role, he can do a lot of damage. Just imagine on breaks with Bradley, Green and Embiid.

Definitely. If the celtics pick lands in the 4-6 range, i would be very happy with them grabbing Embiid.

[Quinn]

Small sample size but this kids gonna be special.

His plus minus numbers are ridiculous.
http://m.kusports.com/news/2013/dec/02/opinion-joel-embiid-proves-worth-ku/?templates=mobile

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

we need as many good to great players as possible this year to come out so we can be guaranteed a really good player because we do not know where we will finish yet.

[BleedGreen1989]

I was skeptical, but seeing him play, he is NOT Sene.  He actually seems to have very good instincts, and is developing VERY fast. 

He still will be a bit of a project, because he needs to grow into his body and continue to learn the game, but the risk on him is growing smaller by the day.  I still wouldn't take him over Parker, but he is making me think twice when it comes to Wiggins and Randle.  He could be REALLY good.

What about the Hakeem comparisons?

I think Hakeem is embiid's super high ceiling, due to his potential based on other things you are reading in this thread.

Right now i think Andre Drummond or Andrew Bynum is a closer ceiling path.

The biggest difference between Embiid and a dominant center like Hakeem is a killer instinct. So far i haven't seen it in him. But, its early in his freshman year on a stacked team.

I'll take that, Andre Drummond is a beast right now and Bynum when healthy was a very good center, arguably a top 5 center in the league.

Yes on the killer instinct too, imo, if he plays a Roy Hibbert or Jeff Green (OKC Green) type of role, he can do a lot of damage. Just imagine on breaks with Bradley, Green and Embiid.

Definitely. If the celtics pick lands in the 4-6 range, i would be very happy with them grabbing Embiid.

Agreed.

Parker and Wiggins are obvious, but after that JE may be the best player.