4 Players Who Are Changing the NBA As We Know It
Joel Embiid
At 7'0", 250 pounds, Joel Embiid is an entirely different type of NBA model. In contrast to Antetokounmpo, the big man is made, well, just like a big man. In fact, he's the exact same build as veteran big Pau Gasol.
However, what The Process does have in common with The Greek Freak is that they both hail from outside the United States. Before attending Kansas for one year, Embiid was originally from Yaoundé, Cameroon in west central Africa. In this way, both players are international products.
Like Antetokounmpo, Embiid is also 22 years old, but unlike the former, Embiid is in his first full season in the NBA after sitting out two full seasons due to a foot injury and complications caused by it thereafter. It was a long wait, for sure. But Embiid hasn't disappointed so far.
Through 30 games, the Philadelphia 76ers' young star is averaging 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 assists in only 25.3 minutes per game. His minutes have been limited by the coaching staff and front office, for obvious reasons. The Sixers aren't going anywhere of note this year (though Embiid would disagree), but that doesn't matter. Embiid has produced every time he's hit the floor.
Even in limited minutes, Embiid is thriving while also showing off the skills many saw in his short time as a Jayhawk. For a player of his size, he possesses a unique combination of paint prowess -- on both offense and defense -- and perimeter skills. That skill set has allowed Embiid to put up unparalleled numbers.
When I say unparalleled, I mean it. In line with Basketball Reference's Player Season Finder, Embiid's per-game numbers are unmatched for a player of his size. He's the only player, since 1946-47, to average at least 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 three-point make per game.
And there are only three other seasons in which a player of any size has ever scored at least 10 points per game with 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a three-pointer per game.
When you take Embiid's numbers over 36 minutes of action, they further emphasize the extraordinary nature of his game.
| Per 36 Mins | PTS | REBS | BLKS | 3PMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | 28.3 | 11.2 | 3.5 | 1.5 |
These wow-worthy numbers again leave Embiid in a league of his own as it pertains to both current players and those who have come before him. The only player who has come close is DeMarcus Cousins, who has averaged at least 28.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 three-pointers last and this season so far. Cousins isn't quite seven feet tall -- so, like I said, unmatched.
Oh, and via a usage of 36.3%, Embiid would average nearly three assists per game if given a heavier workload. For all these reasons, he has managed to contribute two of the Sixers' 16 wins based on win shares, despite the lack of anything resembling a supporting cast.
Going forward (barring injury), things can only get better. I can't stress enough that Embiid is just 22 years old and in his first full season.
He'll also have more help as the season and years roll on. Rookie and top pick Ben Simmons is set to hit the floor for the first time at some point in the near future. It's also likely that the Sixers will add an additional two first-round picks to their collection of young talent in this year's upcoming draft.
With that, Embiid's efficiency will increase, and we will have even more reason to talk about how unconventionally good he is.
