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

[Mr October]

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...

As much fun as it is to talk about him being available at 6, i would really be shocked to see him slide out of the top 4. Philly should grab him at 3 and field trade offers, that is if they really think Noel is the answer at center.

[knuckleballer]

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.

Oden was stronger and more skilled than Embiid.  Embiid is more fluid and has better footwork.  I think Oden would be the best center in the game today if he stayed healthy and that Embiid even has more potential.

[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.

Oden was stronger and more skilled than Embiid.  Embiid is more fluid and has better footwork.  I think Oden would be the best center in the game today if he stayed healthy and that Embiid even has more potential.

Oden was a better defender than him but in terms of foot work on the offensive end Embiid is light years ahead of him...

[Rondo9]

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...

As much fun as it is to talk about him being available at 6, i would really be shocked to see him slide out of the top 4. Philly should grab him at 3 and field trade offers, that is if they really think Noel is the answer at center.

Noel plays better as a center, I don't think they're willing to take another risk on a injured big man.

[Celtics4ever]

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.

My bad.

[NorthernLightning]

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.

Oden was stronger and more skilled than Embiid.  Embiid is more fluid and has better footwork.  I think Oden would be the best center in the game today if he stayed healthy and that Embiid even has more potential.

Oden was a better defender than him but in terms of foot work on the offensive end Embiid is light years ahead of him...

Embiid has much softer touch as well, and much more creativity. Embiid can be a number 1 scoring option even if he never regains his athleticism, which he probably will.

I'm so excited and nervous for tomorrow.

[LarBrd33]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11133352


Good news music to my ears don't care about his injury at 6 you take that gamble

I said it before... I'd be completely SHOCKED if Embiid falls out of the Top 4.

[Rondo9]

I wouldn't be shocked if he fell off the top 4.

[Chief Macho]

I just don't see it happening.  He's too good a prospect.   Someone might even jump up and take him.   Also,  if he is out next year,  what does that do for Stevens.   Dude could get any job in college basketball basically and be winning major titles.    I don't know how long he's willing to wait.

[colincb]

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...

As much fun as it is to talk about him being available at 6, i would really be shocked to see him slide out of the top 4. Philly should grab him at 3 and field trade offers, that is if they really think Noel is the answer at center.

Noel plays better as a center, I don't think they're willing to take another risk on a injured big man.

I don't think Philly should take him (doesn't mean they won't), but he's down for a year and raw for a couple of more.  They've nuked their team, but they're two years into rebuilding with little to show for it and they've lost over 20% of their home attendance in a town that's not known for supporting losing teams. On top of that, one of the elite players is there for the taking in Exum (they don't believe in MCW).  They could also pair Exum up with whoever is at #7 (Gordon, Randle, Smart, or Vonleh) if they want to take the Laker deal and trade MCW and Young for #7 and Nash. 

[biggs]

Yao Ming was a freak of nature.  How many 7'6 players have had long lasting NBA careers? Mark Eaton? Lol. Manute Bol?

Oden had a degenerative knee like Brandon Roy.  Their careers were virtually over before they started. (& teammates, bad drafting)

From what I hear Embiid's injury's are stress related and related to one another.  Proper rest and and conditioning should alleviate that extra stress on his body.

Also hasn't he only been playing for a couple years ala Fab Melo?

Throw in Boston's top notch medical team and it seems like a no brained to take him.

I'm hoping he falls to us 

[Rondo9]

I just don't see it happening.  He's too good a prospect.   Someone might even jump up and take him.   Also,  if he is out next year,  what does that do for Stevens.   Dude could get any job in college basketball basically and be winning major titles.    I don't know how long he's willing to wait.

The Celtics gave Brad Stevens a six year contract, I think Stevens is willing to wait for Embiid to develop. I think he's the youngest in the NBA right now. Embiid may be a very good prospect, but those back and foot injuries can potentially be detrimental to his career and may make teams think twice before taking him.

[TwinTower14]

I think he gets to at least 4 and then I think it gets interesting.  During Chad Ford's chat today, he said that the 76'ers are kicking the tires on Embiid but Exum is a strong, strong favorite there. 

He also said that nobody other than Cleveland and Mil had access to the medical records and he has heard there some things on there are bad and some have been inflated.  Said he couldn't confirm because he hasn't seen them himself and he can't get confirmation from a trusted Source. 

He said that C's. LAL, Sac and Philly at 10 were the most likely landing spots....

[TwinTower14]

Boring day at work - tried to grab all the C's questions during Chad Ford's Q&A Sportsnation Session -

How big of a concern is Embiid's injury? Which teams are scared off by it and who is most likely to take the risk?

Chad Ford  (1:20 PM)



Really depends on who you talk to. But whoever you talk to, if they aren't the Cavs or Bucks, also don't have his medical records. Those two teams did and both of them were scared off. We can say that's because two other great options -- Wiggins and Parker -- were on the table, but nevertheless, no one knows what else is there. I've heard a ton of rumblings that there are other issues (some small, some big) with his physical. However, it's all heresay until I either see the records myself or multiple trusted sources who have seen the records independently confirm. That hasn't happened yet. Which is a long way of saying, I think, it will be hard for the top 3 teams to take Embiid. I think Orlando, Boston, Sacramento and Philly at 10 are his most likely landing spots.

I can't imagine Danny Ainge just standing pat, taking someone at 6, then 17, and then moving on to the next thing. However it feels like things have cooled on the Celtics trading front. What say you, Chad?

Chad Ford  (1:24 PM)



Nothing "cools" for Danny Ainge. They are talking with everyone. I think if they keep the picks, they probably move Rondo and Jeff Green this summer. If they can swap the picks for talented veterans, they'd do that. I think it's 24 hours before the draft and the best offers will start to roll in. I expect the Celtics will be as active as any team in the league.

For the Celtics.....Aaron Gordon? My heart tells me Noah Vonleh if he is there, but could Gordon really be Griffin vol 2?

Chad Ford  (1:26 PM)



I'm having a tough time getting a read. I thought Aaron Gordon was their guy, but there are signals that it might be Marcus Smart here instead. And there's a lot of negativity about Julius Randle coming out of Boston which -- if you know Ainge -- could mean that he's the guy they actually want. Remember Randle was almost unanimously thought of as the No. 2 pick at the start of the season.


Any truth to these Celtics/Cavs trade rumors? They dont really have anything the Cavs want, right?

Chad Ford  (1:26 PM)



I don't think so. Would need a third team that had players.

Seriously though, Chad. If Embiid is available at 6 the Celtics have to take him, right? Right???

Chad Ford  (1:27 PM)



I think there's a very good chance they take him if he falls to them.




Why are the Celtics always trying to trade Rondo? Hes a very good young PG and I dont see how getting a younger PG who isnt as good and wont be for years helps their rebuilding process

Chad Ford  (1:28 PM)



That's what every other GM in the league asks and why it's been hard to trade him. Everyone is curious why Boston is always so anxious to move him.

Is a Rondo to the Kings for # 8 not enough in return for the Celtics?

Chad Ford  (1:32 PM)



I think they want more than that. I think that's part of the hold-up. And remember the Celtics will likely have to take back a player or two that they don't really want.





Who is your dark horse to trade up to the No. 1 pick?

Chad Ford  (1:55 PM)



The Celtics. I think the Celtics would love to get up to the No. 1 pick. I think they'd grab Jabari Parker. I think the Cavs would love to clear space to get LeBron plus one friend (Carmelo?) ... If the Celtics took back several bad contracts from the Cavs ... I could see it happening. They aren't the only ones who could do this (Philly will have the cap space to do the same thing), but they might be the most creative team to make it happen.

[hwangjini_1]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11133352


Good news music to my ears don't care about his injury at 6 you take that gamble

I said it before... I'd be completely SHOCKED if Embiid falls out of the Top 4.

and pleasantly surprised.