Steve Kerr on Joel Embiid: 'It's like going into a time machine'

Basketball Network
Dec 13 2021

The following article first appeared on BasketballNetwork.net:

Joel Embiid is shouldering the burden as the Sixers soar into to the playoff picture. Ben Simmons continues to be absent, while Tobias Harris missed games due to COVID-19. Opponents have taken notice of Embiid’s performances, and they can’t help but offer praise to the big man.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr compared Embiid’s game to some of the all-time greats. Embiid represents the past and the present with the rare combination of low-post game and outside shooting.

“Playing against Joel is like going into a time machine. It’s like playing against Patrick Ewing or Shaq or Hakeem Olajuwon; it’s a low post-game. He will step out and shoot threes and run some DHOs, and he’s good with that.”

There are only a few headlining back-to-the-basket big men in the NBA today. Some prefer to play face-up or have evolved their game beyond the 3-point line. Brook Lopez and Jonas Valanciunas are examples, but Embiid is different. His ability to read what the defense is giving him gives headaches to opposing teams’ coaches. 

Let’s compare Embiid’s numbers to Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon when they were 26 years old. The Sixers star averaged 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, one steal, 1.4 blocks, and 2.8 assists. He also shot 85.9 percent from the charity stripe and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc. Individually, Embiid has been an All-Star four times and named All-NBA three times.

Meanwhile, at 26 years old, Patrick Ewing averaged 22.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.5 blocks per game. He also shot 74.6 percent from the free-throw line and made nothing from beyond the arc. Ewing was also a three-time All-Star during that time. Hakeem Olajuwon, at 26, had five All-Star appearances and averaged 24.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 3.4 blocks. He also shot 69.6 percent from the charity stripe, but did not make a three-pointer. 

Comparing these numbers, Embiid lags in defense, but made up for it with his three-point shooting. Both Olajuwon and Ewing did not make a single three when they were 26 years old, which shows the evolution of big men in the NBA. Embiid's advantage is his wide offensive skillset, which keeps the defense guessing. The team also surrounded him with shooters, and oppoenents have to pick their poison when going up against the Sixers. 

Joel Embiid is no Patrick Ewing or Hakeem Olajuwon, which is a good thing, because if he keeps this up and helps the Philadelphia 76ers win a title, he could even be better than these two all-time greats. 

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