Joel Embiid has emerged as an early MVP candidate this season, averaging 24.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game on 52% shooting. As one of the best big men in the game, he has a real shot to go down as an NBA legend.
And, whether you love him or hate him, it seems he is already drawing comparisons to other All-NBA bigs.
Here’s what Sixers coach Doc Rivers had to say on Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto:
Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid: “Kevin Garnett was a four. I played with Patrick Ewing. I would combine those two together and make a Joel in some cases because he has a little bit of both of those.”
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 7, 2021
The great thing about Embiid is the many ways in which he is able to score. Like Garnett, he is able to knock down the mid-range jumper with consistency and, like Ewing, he is a beast in the paint who is able to muscle his way to the rim.
Of course, Joel can also knock down threes, a very useful skill to have in the modern NBA.
Needless to say, the Philly star is extremely talented and has impressed everyone to start this new season. But the ultimate test for him will come in the playoffs, an area where the Sixers have fallen notoriously short over the past couple of years.
We will see soon enough how far they’re able to go.
