Chad Ford: Embiid will fall out of top 5 going to Celtics

[Mr October]

Embiid is only 20 years old, and his body is fantastically athletic (unlike Oden or Bynum). I think he will recover just fine.

Wait, what?!

Some people are grasping for straws here.

Oden and Bynum weren't nearly as athletic as Embiid is

Yup. As a floor runner Embiid is wonderful to watch. Bynum and Oden always lumbered a bit when running or even walking. Their athletic prowess came from their strength, size and hands.

Embiid is more like Serge Ibaka, Anthony Davis, etc.

[TwinTower14]

a lot of wishful thinking on this board about Embiid when the truth is this kid is really a project.

A very intriguing project that could turn into a franchise center for the Celtics.

I am not a scout but I don't think he is a huge project, if healthy this year he is plug n play.  The kid takes to coaching at an incredible level, apparent by the progress he made at Kansas...

[TwinTower14]

Embiid is only 20 years old, and his body is fantastically athletic (unlike Oden or Bynum). I think he will recover just fine.

Wait, what?!

Some people are grasping for straws here.

Oden and Bynum weren't nearly as athletic as Embiid is

Yup. As a floor runner Embiid is wonderful to watch. Bynum and Oden always lumbered a bit when running or even walking. Their athletic prowess came from their strength, size and hands.

Embiid is more like Serge Ibaka, Anthony Davis, etc.

Completely agree with this - he runs like a 6'5 guy...it's incredible...

[gpap]

a lot of wishful thinking on this board about Embiid when the truth is this kid is really a project.

Yuuuup.

If the Celts keep their pick and don't use it in a trade, I can see taking a chance on Embiid.

But I agree with you that expectations are a TAD high on this guy.

Especially when's probably not going to play a single second of basketball next season.

I understand how high his "ceiling" is. But, the injuries should guard some of that optimism.

[ticket18]

a lot of wishful thinking on this board about Embiid when the truth is this kid is really a project.

Depends on your definition of project. Great athleticism, good footwork and decent mid range jumper. He's progressed exponentially according to most sources. Seems like his only issues are injury related. 

[gpap]

a lot of wishful thinking on this board about Embiid when the truth is this kid is really a project.

Depends on your definition of project. Great athleticism, good footwork and decent mid range jumper. He's progressed exponentially according to most sources. Seems like his only issues are injury related.

Well...that could be a pretty big issue (lol)

[MBunge]

a lot of wishful thinking on this board about Embiid when the truth is this kid is really a project.

Wiggins and Parker are also projects.  Parker was considered a bad defender even by college standards, for pete's sake.

Mike

[Celtics4ever]

Embiid is more like Serge Ibaka, Anthony Davis, etc.

Embiid could not hold Davis's jockstrap.  Get real he didn't win as many games and he had Wiggins as a sidekick.

[Mr October]

a lot of wishful thinking on this board about Embiid when the truth is this kid is really a project.

A very intriguing project that could turn into a franchise center for the Celtics.

I am not a scout but I don't think he is a huge project, if healthy this year he is plug n play.  The kid takes to coaching at an incredible level, apparent by the progress he made at Kansas...

Yeah. I watched a bunch of Kansas games, and the imrovement Embiid showed over one college season was amazing. He has the whole package. He is just young and makes young center mistakes here and there. The 20 year old actually has a variety of post moves already on top of that athletic body!

The most exciting thing about the top of this draft is that all the players we are talking about are coachable and good kids. No knuckleheads here. And they have the talent.

Of course he is still 20 years old and recovering from injury. Out of the gates he is probably going to play 18 minutes per game and foul a lot.

[heyvik]

Does everyone know that Philly got Embiid's medical records? He could go #3 to Philly. http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/25/report-sixers-receive-joel-embiids-medical-records/ Which to me would stink.

[TwinTower14]

From Jay Bilas  ( ESPN Insider ) - still has Embiid as the top prospect -

1. Joel Embiid, C, Kansas


Embiid just oozes potential, and when compared to Hakeem Olajuwon as a freshman at Houston, Embiid compares favorably. Long, athletic and skilled, Embiid has great hands and feet, and is a solid rim protector and rebounder. Each time you see him, he has added something new to his game, and despite the evolution of the game, he is still valuable as a true center in the NBA. Unless a team of doctors tells me not to, I'd still take Embiid No. 1 overall. If healthy, he will be special.

I kind of feel the same way - unless a doctor tells me no way, I am picking him.  Guys like this come around about every 5-10 years...

[Mr October]

Embiid is more like Serge Ibaka, Anthony Davis, etc.

Embiid could not hold Davis's jockstrap.  Get real he didn't win as many games and he had Wiggins as a sidekick.

Please don't cherry pick a quote out of context.

I was only comparing their ability to run the floor vs guys like Oden and Bynum.

[moiso]

Oden tested awesome athletically at the combine.  I remember that he beat most of the guards in the dexterity drill.  Of course now we think of him as lumbering but he was very athletic.

I don't think most of us have any grounds for saying that we should or should  not take Embiid.  Unless some of us on Celticsblog are orthopedic surgeons and are in possession of Embiid's medical records, we just don't have the capability to make an informed decision on drafting him. 

Let the medical staff decide and we will just have to wait and see what happens.

[TwinTower14]

Oden tested awesome athletically at the combine.  I remember that he beat most of the guards in the dexterity drill.  Of course now we think of him as lumbering but he was very athletic.

I don't think most of us have any grounds for saying that we should or should  not take Embiid.  Unless some of us on Celticsblog are orthopedic surgeons and are in possession of Embiid's medical records, we just don't have the capability to make an informed decision on drafting him. 

Let the medical staff decide and we will just have to wait and see what happens.

Yea but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night:)

[Clench123]

Music to my ears.  Take him.