I debated between Shaq and Embiid. I ultimately decided on the guy that was more efficient.
Shaq more efficient??? Don't think so. Shaq just has a much more limited offensive skillset. Comparing Shaq's 2004/5 season with Embiid's MVP season.
0-3 3-10 10-16 16-3P 3P FT
Shaq 74.8 43.9 19.6 0.0 N/A 46.1
Embiid 80.7 43.5 51.4 48.9 33.0 85.7
Shaq and Embiid were similar from 3-10 feet but otherwise Embiid was much better. Of course, the sledgehammer to the comparison is free throw shooting. No one who shoots free throws that dismally should be called efficient.
As for the overall comparison, Embiid is the significantly better defender.
Shaq was a better defender than Embiid, by virtually every metric. More DWS, more blocks per game and a higher BLK%, etc. Embiid definitely has way more offensive range, but in some respects that hurts his game. If he spent more time inside, he'd score a lot more and would better use his size. A lot of the modern players spread the floor too much instead of just utilizing their strength. Embiid, with his size, should play like Shaq. He'd dominant the league. All the spreading the floor hurts his game. 33% on 3 attempts a game is just bad. He doesn't need to do that. Stay inside, put the other team in foul trouble, and hit at a great percentage. Not sure it would help his health, but running all of the floor and handling the ball that much can't help it either. He only played 66 games in his MVP season. He needs to play more. Work on his body and stay inside. That is how he'd dominate and how the Sixers would win more games.
Embiid won the MVP. Not sure what else he should have done to be considered a dominant player. Problem is his injury history, not his shooting range.
Embiid's opponents are forced to contest shots on the perimeter. This means a) he spaces the floor for his teammates b) the Sixers can attack the switches generated by Embiid's picks on the perimeter, c) he generates better looks for himself in the paint cause opposing defenders cannot simply drop back to protect the rim. Personally, I consider peak Embiid (when healthy) a better player than Miami Shaq.
Love the Embiid-KG fit on D. Embiid drops. KG roams. They would both excel in their roles. Not overly excited by the Nash-Embiid combo tbh: a) Nash is at his best on the open court, whereas Embiid is effective primarily in the half court. b) Nash excels spamming the PnR. Embiid is more of an iso scorer rather than a mobile PnR partner for Nash. c) Embiid is effective only in a drop scheme meaning he needs a legit POA defender to provide cover for him in the PnR. That's definitely not Nash.
Fortunately for Who, he got an elite roll man
and help defender in KG. When it comes to help D in particular, I think only Giannis is in the same tier with KG. It seems like they are everywhere at the same time thanks to their elite size and athleticism. Even so, I'd argue the Embiid-Nash defensive combo can be exploited by PnR-heavy, perimeter-oriented offenses, especially if KG's opponent is a reliable 3pt shooter.
For the record, I'll likely have an even bigger defensive issue trying to hide Jokic in the PnR. I tend to value offense over defense. Not sure whether I wanna settle for a defensive specialist to provide adequate cover for Jokic. I guess it depends on who's left on the board by the time I make my picks.
Topic: CelticsBlog 2025 Fantasy DRAFT HERE thread! (Read 5700 times)