28-year-old Joel Embiid has firmly cemented himself as one of the best players in basketball. This season, in 33 games played, Embiid is averaging 33.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game on 53% shooting.
By all accounts, Embiid is having a borderline MVP-caliber season and is in a position to lead the 76ers deep into the playoffs this year.
But is the 5x All-Star truly maximizing his game? While the answer might seem like a solid yes at first, NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon cast some doubt on the matter in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated.
(via Chris Ballard)
These days, Olajuwon trains only Rockets players, part of an exclusive deal he signed with the team. At practice, and as time permits, he tutors those interested, including 6’ 11” center Alperen Şengün.
That means he watches today’s stars from afar, and he sees the possibilities. Take Embiid. Olajuwon likes him and has given him advice, but he has questions. “He’s got all the moves, but leveraging the moves is different. Why would he be shooting threes?” Olajuwon asks. “He has the advantage every night, and if I have the advantage, I’m going to wear you out.”
But threes? “That’s settling! When I’m tired, I settle. You don’t settle when you’re trying to win. You don’t start the game settling!”
Embiid is a pretty solid 3-point shooter and is making over 35% of his attempts from outside this season. But we all know that Joel is best when he’s in the paint, where he’s pretty much unstoppable with the ball in his hands.
Still, it seems Embiid’s shot selection holds him back in Hakeem’s eyes, unlike another modern-day big man.
Hakeem Reveals Why Nikola Jokic Is ‘The One’
The Dream may have his issues with Joel, but his stance on Nikola Jokic is quite clear. Amid what has been, arguably, the Joker’s best season yet, Hakeem made sure to pay him his due.
“The Joker,” Olajuwon says. “I love the Joker!”
The biggest reason someone like Olajuwon loves Jokic is that Jokic does it all, not with overwhelming athleticism and strength, like Giannis, but with craft and timing. With counters for his counters. “He’s playing the game, and you think he’s not serious, but he’s so effective,” marvels Olajuwon. “He doesn’t look strong, but I see he gets such deep post position. I think maybe it’s the mismatch, but then he does the same thing against bigger guys. His shot, his fakes, they are very difficult to time. You don’t know when he’s faking and when it’s real. He has tricks!” Olajuwon nods. “He’s the one.”
The debate between Embiid and Jokic isn’t going anywhere, and those stars are likely going to be dominating like this for several more years.
Until one of them wins a title, deciding who is better than who is no easy task. But it seems Joel Embiid still has some more to prove before he gets a shining endorsement from Hakeem Olajuwon.
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