Embiid Might Be My New Favorite Player

[Redz]

This was the first full game I've seen him play.  Totally unique player.  I really enjoyed watching him play.  As much as it would make life difficult for the Celtics over the years, I hope he stays healthy and gets to have a full career with regular minutes. 

[fantankerous]

He's got a chance to be a really special player.

[Bostoncelticsforlife7]

BANDWAGONNNNN

[PhoSita]

I think I like Zinger more (personal preference, not saying he's better), but yeah, Embiid is magnificent.

[LarBrd33]

Surefire hall of famer if he doesn't get hurt.  He's unnaturally talented. 

Someone pointed out on Reddit that the kid didn't start playing basketball until his Junior year of high school, played AAU ball for two years, played half a college season and was sidelined for his first two NBA seasons.  At most, we're looking at a player who has played like 80-100 organized basketball games and has only played 24 NBA games so far.   

Easy to forget that he's still working off two years of rust and adjusting to the fact he gained significantly muscle weight and grew a couple inches while injured.  To be doing what he's doing right now is RIDICULOUS.   Had he come in and averages 8 points, 3 rebounds, 0.5 blocks with 38% shooting and 0% shooting from three, I don't think anyone would have thought less of him as a long-term prospect.  They'd just be impressed he was playing basketball and excited to see his long-term development.

But look at what the kid is doing...  It's unreal.

Towns Per-36:  22 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.5 blocks, .476/.311/.806
Davis Per-36:  27.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.5 blocks .486/.279/.792
Cousins Per-36:  29.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks .449/.373/.781
Embiid Per-36: 27.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.4 blocks, .460/.386/.770 

That's nuts.  He shouldn't be doing what he's doing this early.  It's crazy. 

And THIS is why a team decided to throw away a few meaningless seasons.  For a reward like that.  Considering Embiid is still on a minutes restriction and we haven't seen a minute of Ben Simmons (who was called by some draft experts a potential franchise player who is the best prospect in years)... and considering that Philly may very well end up with two Top 5 picks in a draft that is considered exceptionally loaded up top...   If this team isn't in the playoffs in the next 3 years, I'll be shocked.   Either devastating injuries or incredible bad luck is going to prevent it.   It's only a matter of time before everyone realizes how silly it was to write off "The Process" before it even really began. 

[Ogaju]

I don't disagree that Embiid looks good so far, but to anoint him a sure fire HOF is too soon.

And if you believe that Embiid was not playing basketball years before he came to the USA, you are easily fooled.

[Redz]

BANDWAGONNNNN

Perhaps

Just seeing the guy for the first time and wanting to see more of that kind of ball.

[Celtics18]

Giannis is my favorite rising, young star (he's about nine months younger than Embiid).  He and Jabari are turning into a dangerous combo. 

Fear the deer.

[tazzmaniac]

I don't disagree that Embiid looks good so far, but to anoint him a sure fire HOF is too soon.

And if you believe that Embiid was not playing basketball years before he came to the USA, you are easily fooled.

You clearly don't know Embiid's history.  Here's a good background article and a quote. 
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/joel-embiids-pursuit-of-hoops-greatness-not-just-a-dream/wxyk1v6zv97t1pep47qnkyv1y

“When I was 15, that’s when I had the thought that I wanted to play basketball,” Embiid said, sitting on an end zone bleacher at Allen Fieldhouse. “My dad wasn’t really — he was against it. But I had my uncle talk to him, and he finally convinced him to let me play basketball. And then I started playing.

“When I started playing basketball, my coach back in Cameroon the first day he gave me a video of Hakeem Olajuwon. He told me to watch it every day. After practice, after every practice, I’d watch every move he did — and I’d just keep doing that. I just fell in love with his game, his footwork, how he moves. I was so proud — I wanted to be like him, because he’s African, moved from Nigeria to the U.S. I just felt if I had the chance to come here, I would try to do the same thing.”

[max215]

He's been playing basketball for something like 6 years. Absolutely incredible player (my favorite personality in the league, too), and as a basketball fan I hope he stays healthy for many, many years.

[tazzmaniac]

BANDWAGONNNNN

Perhaps

Just seeing the guy for the first time and wanting to see more of that kind of ball.

Welcome onboard.  I was all in seeing him in college.  Besides his physical talents, he's a good learner with the drive to be great.  He's good now but once he really figures out how to play in the NBA he's going to dominate.  Just cross your fingers and pray for his health. 

[greece66]

This was the first full game I've seen him play.  Totally unique player.  I really enjoyed watching him play.  As much as it would make life difficult for the Celtics over the years, I hope he stays healthy and gets to have a full career with regular minutes.

Yep, he is a unique and very talented player.

He seems to be a nice guy too, with a positive attitude.

I hope he manages to maintain this performance once the min restriction will be lifted and he will have to play more mins and more often. Having such a player around makes the NBA more fun to watch.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

I wanted us to trade for him.

Trust the process
clap x5

[footey]

I wanted us to trade for him.

Trust the process
clap x5

Get in line.

[KG Living Legend]

Surefire hall of famer if he doesn't get hurt.  He's unnaturally talented. 

Someone pointed out on Reddit that the kid didn't start playing basketball until his Junior year of high school, played AAU ball for two years, played half a college season and was sidelined for his first two NBA seasons.  At most, we're looking at a player who has played like 80-100 organized basketball games and has only played 24 NBA games so far.   

Easy to forget that he's still working off two years of rust and adjusting to the fact he gained significantly muscle weight and grew a couple inches while injured.  To be doing what he's doing right now is RIDICULOUS.   Had he come in and averages 8 points, 3 rebounds, 0.5 blocks with 38% shooting and 0% shooting from three, I don't think anyone would have thought less of him as a long-term prospect.  They'd just be impressed he was playing basketball and excited to see his long-term development.

But look at what the kid is doing...  It's unreal.

Towns Per-36:  22 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.5 blocks, .476/.311/.806
Davis Per-36:  27.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.5 blocks .486/.279/.792
Cousins Per-36:  29.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks .449/.373/.781
Embiid Per-36: 27.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.4 blocks, .460/.386/.770 

That's nuts.  He shouldn't be doing what he's doing this early.  It's crazy. 

And THIS is why a team decided to throw away a few meaningless seasons.  For a reward like that.  Considering Embiid is still on a minutes restriction and we haven't seen a minute of Ben Simmons (who was called by some draft experts a potential franchise player who is the best prospect in years)... and considering that Philly may very well end up with two Top 5 picks in a draft that is considered exceptionally loaded up top...   If this team isn't in the playoffs in the next 3 years, I'll be shocked.   Either devastating injuries or incredible bad luck is going to prevent it.   It's only a matter of time before everyone realizes how silly it was to write off "The Process" before it even really began.

 And Somehow they are going o get Fultz. They want him. They need him. They must have Fultz.

 If they don't get the #1 pick they would trade assets for him if the other team is willing.

 It's actually fasanating if the Celtics won the first pick. I think I would trade the #1 Overall for #3 , #7 and a future first or player. If we could add Josh Jackson, and Giles I did love that.

 Anyway, a core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz would be fairly sick to contend with for the next 10 years or so.