[WhyParticipant]

 How do these players compare to each other? Do they have anything in common besides being super athletic 7 footers? How would you rank them coming out of college and how would you rank them now? Who will be the best in 3 years? I have a high draft pick in a 30 team fantasy league and am wondering who to take.

 

Also sorry if something like this has already been posted 100 times.

 

 

 

[The QParticipant]

 Drummond would easily be #1 on my list of those 3. He should’ve easily gone #2 in his draft. Highest upside for a prospect in the past few years. Including Brow.  

Embiid is 2. And a very fine consolation prize. 

 

Jordan played one year and really underwhelmed, but those physical tools were still easily first round worthy. 

 

 

[The QParticipant]

 Drummond would easily be #1 on my list of those 3. He should’ve easily gone #2 in his draft. Highest upside for a prospect in the past few years. Including Brow.  

Embiid is 2. And a very fine consolation prize. 

 

Jordan played one year and really underwhelmed, but those physical tools were still easily first round worthy. 

 

 

[HaleParticipant]

I’m off the belief the Embiid’s back is a red flag and I was considerably higher than most on Drummond coming out (Jordan too but not as high as these two) so I would say Drummond, Embiid, Jordan in order of how I view(ed) them as prospects. 

Currently we know how good Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan are. They are both premier rebounders in the NBA right now. Jordan just led the NBA in total rebounding and Drummond dominated the league in OREB. Both are going to get you a good to great amount of blocks with the edge going to Jordan. Both are going to be near the top of the league in FG%. Both would be fairly proven commodities in a fantasy draft as opposed to Embiid who could be injured but also has far more offensive potential. I think Drummond is the best player of the 3 and has shown awesome grwoth over the past few years so if I had to go with someone it’d be him. He also seems like the safest bet. Jordan had a breakout year but it could be a one time thing and you never know with back injuries what you are going to get in Embiid’s case. 

 

[Sewok15Participant]

Embiid doesn’t have the pure explosion of Jordan or the strength of either of them. He is already a much better shooter than either of them. He projects as a much better post player and overall offensive prospect than both of them. Drummond probably has 40 pounds on Embiid at the moment so he is suited more for in banging inside that he will face every night in the league.

Defensively he could be on the level of those guys in a few years while he gets used to playing NBA athletes night after night. He moves great laterally and will be an incredible help defender from day one ala Serge Ibaka. It will take him sometime until he can man up with the Dwight Howards of the world but he will be an impact player on defense right away with his shot blocking.

If his offense pans out like many believe and he becomes a 17-18 PPG scorer he should be the best player in this draft becausee he will effect the game that much with defense and rebounding.

[Ebown5Participant]

I agree with everything you said about Embiid, but if his offense pans out he will average way more than 17-18 ppg. Howard averages that with very little offensive skill and is a poor free throw shooter.

Embiid could average 25-30 points if his offense pans out. He has it all offensively.

 

  

[Sewok15Participant]

Tim Duncan averaged 25 points one time in his NBA career. I don’t see Embiid really becoming a better offensive player than Tim Duncan. The only big guy that averaged over 25 PPG this year was Kevin Love and he shot almost 7 3 pointers per game.

Maybe he could get around the 20-22 point range like Cousins and Al Jefferson who are the best offensive Centers in the game today….but 25-30 is pushing it…we haven’t seen that since Shaq and no way Embiid is going to be dominant like Shaq…at least offensively.

[Sewok15Participant]

Tim Duncan averaged 25 points one time in his NBA career. I don’t see Embiid really becoming a better offensive player than Tim Duncan. The only big guy that averaged over 25 PPG this year was Kevin Love and he shot almost 7 3 pointers per game.

Maybe he could get around the 20-22 point range like Cousins and Al Jefferson who are the best offensive Centers in the game today….but 25-30 is pushing it…we haven’t seen that since Shaq and no way Embiid is going to be dominant like Shaq…at least offensively.

[Ebown5Participant]

I agree with everything you said about Embiid, but if his offense pans out he will average way more than 17-18 ppg. Howard averages that with very little offensive skill and is a poor free throw shooter.

Embiid could average 25-30 points if his offense pans out. He has it all offensively.

 

  

[PhogifyParticipant]

 Well, DeAndre Jordan is top 3 in the entire league when it comes to athleticism, so he definitely overshadows Embiid by a lot, but Embiid is still respectably athletic: http://www.youtube.com/watch

[PhogifyParticipant]

 Well, DeAndre Jordan is top 3 in the entire league when it comes to athleticism, so he definitely overshadows Embiid by a lot, but Embiid is still respectably athletic: http://www.youtube.com/watch

[HaleParticipant]

I’m off the belief the Embiid’s back is a red flag and I was considerably higher than most on Drummond coming out (Jordan too but not as high as these two) so I would say Drummond, Embiid, Jordan in order of how I view(ed) them as prospects. 

Currently we know how good Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan are. They are both premier rebounders in the NBA right now. Jordan just led the NBA in total rebounding and Drummond dominated the league in OREB. Both are going to get you a good to great amount of blocks with the edge going to Jordan. Both are going to be near the top of the league in FG%. Both would be fairly proven commodities in a fantasy draft as opposed to Embiid who could be injured but also has far more offensive potential. I think Drummond is the best player of the 3 and has shown awesome grwoth over the past few years so if I had to go with someone it’d be him. He also seems like the safest bet. Jordan had a breakout year but it could be a one time thing and you never know with back injuries what you are going to get in Embiid’s case. 

 

[Sewok15Participant]

Embiid doesn’t have the pure explosion of Jordan or the strength of either of them. He is already a much better shooter than either of them. He projects as a much better post player and overall offensive prospect than both of them. Drummond probably has 40 pounds on Embiid at the moment so he is suited more for in banging inside that he will face every night in the league.

Defensively he could be on the level of those guys in a few years while he gets used to playing NBA athletes night after night. He moves great laterally and will be an incredible help defender from day one ala Serge Ibaka. It will take him sometime until he can man up with the Dwight Howards of the world but he will be an impact player on defense right away with his shot blocking.

If his offense pans out like many believe and he becomes a 17-18 PPG scorer he should be the best player in this draft becausee he will effect the game that much with defense and rebounding.

[JoeWolf1]

 I think an NBA player who is athletically similar to Embiid is Steven Adams. He had a 33" max vert and a 9’1.5" standing reach. I think Joel is a much different player and a tad quicker, but they’re the same height, weight, have the same wingspan and I bet they test out very similarly in the combine drills.

[Ebown5Participant]

Wait until the measurements come out.

I don’t know what they will show, but my guess is that Embiid will have a standing reach in the 9’4 region, and probably weigh around 245-250.

 

 

 

 

 

  

[Ebown5Participant]

Wait until the measurements come out.

I don’t know what they will show, but my guess is that Embiid will have a standing reach in the 9’4 region, and probably weigh around 245-250.

 

 

 

 

 

  

[JoeWolf1]

 I think an NBA player who is athletically similar to Embiid is Steven Adams. He had a 33" max vert and a 9’1.5" standing reach. I think Joel is a much different player and a tad quicker, but they’re the same height, weight, have the same wingspan and I bet they test out very similarly in the combine drills.

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

 I would say that out of the three Jordan is the least technically sound as far as post moves and "gifted basketball skill" is concerned. I think Embiid has unbelievable footwork in the post and that is where the Hakeem comparisons come in to play (the only place they come in to play for me). Athletically, Jordan seems to have the most bounce, while Drummond and Jordan are super strong along with extremely athletic. Embiid is athletic in his own right, but not uber-athletic as Jordan and even Drummond are. In regards to the ability to redefine the position, Drummond and Embiid are likely to contribute to that dynamic. Hopefully the center position becomes stronger in the future because I’m tired of seeing these ball-hogging wing players that shoot 30% from the field and take 15 three pointers in one game.

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

 I would say that out of the three Jordan is the least technically sound as far as post moves and "gifted basketball skill" is concerned. I think Embiid has unbelievable footwork in the post and that is where the Hakeem comparisons come in to play (the only place they come in to play for me). Athletically, Jordan seems to have the most bounce, while Drummond and Jordan are super strong along with extremely athletic. Embiid is athletic in his own right, but not uber-athletic as Jordan and even Drummond are. In regards to the ability to redefine the position, Drummond and Embiid are likely to contribute to that dynamic. Hopefully the center position becomes stronger in the future because I’m tired of seeing these ball-hogging wing players that shoot 30% from the field and take 15 three pointers in one game.

[tuck243Participant]

is better than all of them… Drummond is 5 years younger with Embiid being one year younger than him (which might be incorrect with all of the falsified birth certificates from Africa over the years). Drummond isn’t a better prospect than the "Brow" like someone just suggested… If that was the case he wouldn’t have got drafted where he did. And after watching him play in the league I STILL would draft Anthony Davis before him….

Embiid is going into a league where back to the basket players aren’t utilized as much… If he can’t stay on the court after 20+ games (truthfully could barely stay on the court when he was playing- foul trouble) then I don’t see how he’s a "can’t miss" prospect now… So for me I’ll go Jordan (DPOY type), Drummond, and then Embiid..

Jordan is now getting more minutes and is one of few players that actually been productive given those minutes… He always had a high rebounds and blocks – per 48 min – stat… I don’t think this is a fluke at all… You can’t fluke hustle stats… LOL

[tuck243Participant]

is better than all of them… Drummond is 5 years younger with Embiid being one year younger than him (which might be incorrect with all of the falsified birth certificates from Africa over the years). Drummond isn’t a better prospect than the "Brow" like someone just suggested… If that was the case he wouldn’t have got drafted where he did. And after watching him play in the league I STILL would draft Anthony Davis before him….

Embiid is going into a league where back to the basket players aren’t utilized as much… If he can’t stay on the court after 20+ games (truthfully could barely stay on the court when he was playing- foul trouble) then I don’t see how he’s a "can’t miss" prospect now… So for me I’ll go Jordan (DPOY type), Drummond, and then Embiid..

Jordan is now getting more minutes and is one of few players that actually been productive given those minutes… He always had a high rebounds and blocks – per 48 min – stat… I don’t think this is a fluke at all… You can’t fluke hustle stats… LOL

[Andrew1984Participant]

Embiid will be what Greg Oden would have been if he had stayed healthy and moderately approached his projections.

[Andrew1984Participant]

Embiid will be what Greg Oden would have been if he had stayed healthy and moderately approached his projections.

[AdamJCallejaParticipant]

The one thing I fear about Embiid is that his upper body is well developed but just like Dwight Howard he doesn’t have the strong lower body (Big But and thighs) ala Shaq or how Greg Oden was. It will be harder for him to get position on stronger guys. But I have faith in his work ethic. Looks like a jokester off the court. But very competitive on the court

[AdamJCallejaParticipant]

The one thing I fear about Embiid is that his upper body is well developed but just like Dwight Howard he doesn’t have the strong lower body (Big But and thighs) ala Shaq or how Greg Oden was. It will be harder for him to get position on stronger guys. But I have faith in his work ethic. Looks like a jokester off the court. But very competitive on the court

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I personally am not that worried about Embiids back.  They aren’t chronic issues, it hurt it diving on the floor for a loose ball.  If I recall correctly Drummond also had a back injury his rookie year which everybody seems to be forgetting because he didn’t show any effects of it this year.  I also don’t worry about Embiids lower body, he has generational footwork mostly attributed to his younger days of playing volleyball and soccer.  I worry more about guys who run clunky and look like they struggle running up the court, those are the lower bodies I worry about and neither of these 3 have any problems running.  They all look like 6’5 guards when they run.

Drummond and Jordan are very similar to me.  Jordan really surprised me this year and Drummond is a monster.  But both are awful on the offensive end unless they are dunking the ball.

Embiid projects to be not as good as a defender or rebounder as the other two, though not terrible.  But he is already a better offensive player than both of them, at this stage in his career.  And he has only been playing basketball for 3 or 4 years.  If he falls out of the top 3 a team will be extremely lucky to grab him.  Though Bill Self didn’t let him, he has range all the way out to the college 3.  I remember before the college season started people projected him more as a stretch big man.

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I personally am not that worried about Embiids back.  They aren’t chronic issues, it hurt it diving on the floor for a loose ball.  If I recall correctly Drummond also had a back injury his rookie year which everybody seems to be forgetting because he didn’t show any effects of it this year.  I also don’t worry about Embiids lower body, he has generational footwork mostly attributed to his younger days of playing volleyball and soccer.  I worry more about guys who run clunky and look like they struggle running up the court, those are the lower bodies I worry about and neither of these 3 have any problems running.  They all look like 6’5 guards when they run.

Drummond and Jordan are very similar to me.  Jordan really surprised me this year and Drummond is a monster.  But both are awful on the offensive end unless they are dunking the ball.

Embiid projects to be not as good as a defender or rebounder as the other two, though not terrible.  But he is already a better offensive player than both of them, at this stage in his career.  And he has only been playing basketball for 3 or 4 years.  If he falls out of the top 3 a team will be extremely lucky to grab him.  Though Bill Self didn’t let him, he has range all the way out to the college 3.  I remember before the college season started people projected him more as a stretch big man.

 

 

[HaleParticipant]

His range is extremely overrated. He doesn’t even have the range Isaiah Austin does and Austin is a mediocre shooter. Not to mention Embiid has been playing 3 years and has suffered a back injury in two of them. Andre Drummond has been playing for much longer and has suffered one. Plus Embiid’s was worse. There is no parallel. If he has issues playing a high school and college schedule what is he going to do when he has to play more than double those games in the NBA?

[HaleParticipant]

His range is extremely overrated. He doesn’t even have the range Isaiah Austin does and Austin is a mediocre shooter. Not to mention Embiid has been playing 3 years and has suffered a back injury in two of them. Andre Drummond has been playing for much longer and has suffered one. Plus Embiid’s was worse. There is no parallel. If he has issues playing a high school and college schedule what is he going to do when he has to play more than double those games in the NBA?

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Based off of what can you claim that his range is overrated?  I can’t say whether or not his range is as good, worse or better than Austins as I have not seen enough of it to determine one way or the other.  Just stating what I read about him before his time at Kansas.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Based off of what can you claim that his range is overrated?  I can’t say whether or not his range is as good, worse or better than Austins as I have not seen enough of it to determine one way or the other.  Just stating what I read about him before his time at Kansas.

[HaleParticipant]

Because people tend to think he’s a capable shooter when he’s not. Just because he hit a few jumpers in high school doesn’t mean you can do it in the NBA. Andre Drummond could bring the ball up and take fadeaways in HS and look how that turned out. Embiid has a nice stroke and the potential to be a nice shooter down the line but at this moment in time he most certainly is not.

[HaleParticipant]

Because people tend to think he’s a capable shooter when he’s not. Just because he hit a few jumpers in high school doesn’t mean you can do it in the NBA. Andre Drummond could bring the ball up and take fadeaways in HS and look how that turned out. Embiid has a nice stroke and the potential to be a nice shooter down the line but at this moment in time he most certainly is not.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Again, I ask, what makes you so certain?

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Again, I ask, what makes you so certain?

[HaleParticipant]

The fact that he hasn’t done anything to suggest he has a jumper?

[HaleParticipant]

The fact that he hasn’t done anything to suggest he has a jumper?

[GronounoursParticipant]

 I’m sorry, but I don’t buy the "good footwork because he used to play soccer". The fact that this anecdote is repeted time and again doesn’t make it true. I don’t see any link between soccer footwork and BB footwork.

[GronounoursParticipant]

 I’m sorry, but I don’t buy the "good footwork because he used to play soccer". The fact that this anecdote is repeted time and again doesn’t make it true. I don’t see any link between soccer footwork and BB footwork.

[MkadozaParticipant]

Coming out of college, Embiid is more highly thought of than either. Drummond’s “disappointing” season slowed his massive hype coming out of high school. Deandre Jordan’s stock fell like a lead balloon after his freshman year, and would be last in the draft if they all were the same age. I won’t rank Embiid presently against the other two, but Drummond is maybe a little better than Jordan. Drummond is the better perimeter defender and ball handler (though hes not great), and Jordan is the better post defender and shot blocker.

For fantasy purposes, I will not draft a rookie with a high pick. Period. Too much risk. Drummond would be my choice because of his overall upside. Its not crazy to think 17pts, 14rebs, 1.5+stls and 2.0+blks. Wait a year to gauge Embiid’s situation. And I question how many more offensive opportunities Jordan will get playing alongside Blake Griffin.

[MkadozaParticipant]

Coming out of college, Embiid is more highly thought of than either. Drummond’s “disappointing” season slowed his massive hype coming out of high school. Deandre Jordan’s stock fell like a lead balloon after his freshman year, and would be last in the draft if they all were the same age. I won’t rank Embiid presently against the other two, but Drummond is maybe a little better than Jordan. Drummond is the better perimeter defender and ball handler (though hes not great), and Jordan is the better post defender and shot blocker.

For fantasy purposes, I will not draft a rookie with a high pick. Period. Too much risk. Drummond would be my choice because of his overall upside. Its not crazy to think 17pts, 14rebs, 1.5+stls and 2.0+blks. Wait a year to gauge Embiid’s situation. And I question how many more offensive opportunities Jordan will get playing alongside Blake Griffin.

[JoeWolf1]

 Joel has a good stroke and good range, but he needs more reps before his 15-20 footer is game ready. I’m sure he looks real nice in practice, but that’s not really a shot you want him taking right now. With reps and experience, I could see him having a very good mid-range game.

[JoeWolf1]

 Joel has a good stroke and good range, but he needs more reps before his 15-20 footer is game ready. I’m sure he looks real nice in practice, but that’s not really a shot you want him taking right now. With reps and experience, I could see him having a very good mid-range game.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Thank you, this is the type of analysis I was looking for.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Thank you, this is the type of analysis I was looking for.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Its not fair to say Embiid will have injury issues in the future this early in the draft process. My only opinion on the fact is that I have seen reports insisting he may have back injuries, it all seems like nitpicking and speculation to me but you can never tell whats a smokescreen and what is a fact come draft season. Ill let the NBA teams medical staffs determine whether or not he is injury prone and hold any further opinion until then.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Its not fair to say Embiid will have injury issues in the future this early in the draft process. My only opinion on the fact is that I have seen reports insisting he may have back injuries, it all seems like nitpicking and speculation to me but you can never tell whats a smokescreen and what is a fact come draft season. Ill let the NBA teams medical staffs determine whether or not he is injury prone and hold any further opinion until then.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Embiid would be the most sought after for my team without much thought to it at all. He hits free throws and looks like he will develop a good mid range game. That is extremely valueable and something Drummond and Jordan look like they will not develop.

Ill take shooting touch over elite athletisism from a C anyday if that C proves he can defend his position, rebound his position, is strong enough and is at least mobile and fluid.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Embiid would be the most sought after for my team without much thought to it at all. He hits free throws and looks like he will develop a good mid range game. That is extremely valueable and something Drummond and Jordan look like they will not develop.

Ill take shooting touch over elite athletisism from a C anyday if that C proves he can defend his position, rebound his position, is strong enough and is at least mobile and fluid.

[chaParticipant]

 To answer, each has his own attirbute that the others lack:

Joel Embiid has a natural looking post game,- you can see it in his rapid progression even in its infant stages that if he can stay healthy he will be dominant back to the basket post playe Plus it doesn’t hurt to have a football background before playing basketball; and he also looks ambidextrous. DeAndre Jordan easily is the most coordinated of the three big men nay, maybe even in the league right now. He gets up so high, is very agile and quick off his  feet. I want to compare his hops to Amare’ wherein he can just catch lobs and hang in the air for days before deciding to put someone on a poster. Andre Drummond is just a freak of nature with his combination of size, athleticism, agility, quickness, speed, and great hands. He is huge, drafted close to 300 and yet he was considered the fastest guy from baseline to baseline on his D-1 College team, UConn- including point guards. He can get high up to catch a lob, he may not throw it down each and every time down the court but he has enough reach and touch to finish. He is very agile and has quick hands, he doesn’t move his feet (lack of footwork and fundamental defensive stance) well enough but he shows potential in defending smaller players (see Dwyane gets stripped TWICE cleanly). 

Right now, all three prospects have tremendous amount of potential but if I have to choose one it would be Andre easily. He is younger than Jordan and way bigger than Embiid (Embiid is 250 where was Drummond is around 280) and has proven to be a hard worker (progression from rookie season to sophomore; lost 20 pounds) and is durable. He has shown flashes of back to the basket post game, in its infant stages it has proven to be unguardable with his size and length. He just needs to polish it a little and probably add more strength and definition (not weight) to his already huge frame. I am confident that under Rasheed’s guidance, he can be one of the best defensive players in the league as well.

 

[tuck243Participant]

We’re not talking 2 or 3 years down the line…  He’s talking about next year for his fantasy team…   Next year you think Drummond is a better player than DeAndre Jordan?

Better question, who is the better player right now?

 

  

[tuck243Participant]

We’re not talking 2 or 3 years down the line…  He’s talking about next year for his fantasy team…   Next year you think Drummond is a better player than DeAndre Jordan?

Better question, who is the better player right now?

 

  

[chaParticipant]

 To answer, each has his own attirbute that the others lack:

Joel Embiid has a natural looking post game,- you can see it in his rapid progression even in its infant stages that if he can stay healthy he will be dominant back to the basket post playe Plus it doesn’t hurt to have a football background before playing basketball; and he also looks ambidextrous. DeAndre Jordan easily is the most coordinated of the three big men nay, maybe even in the league right now. He gets up so high, is very agile and quick off his  feet. I want to compare his hops to Amare’ wherein he can just catch lobs and hang in the air for days before deciding to put someone on a poster. Andre Drummond is just a freak of nature with his combination of size, athleticism, agility, quickness, speed, and great hands. He is huge, drafted close to 300 and yet he was considered the fastest guy from baseline to baseline on his D-1 College team, UConn- including point guards. He can get high up to catch a lob, he may not throw it down each and every time down the court but he has enough reach and touch to finish. He is very agile and has quick hands, he doesn’t move his feet (lack of footwork and fundamental defensive stance) well enough but he shows potential in defending smaller players (see Dwyane gets stripped TWICE cleanly). 

Right now, all three prospects have tremendous amount of potential but if I have to choose one it would be Andre easily. He is younger than Jordan and way bigger than Embiid (Embiid is 250 where was Drummond is around 280) and has proven to be a hard worker (progression from rookie season to sophomore; lost 20 pounds) and is durable. He has shown flashes of back to the basket post game, in its infant stages it has proven to be unguardable with his size and length. He just needs to polish it a little and probably add more strength and definition (not weight) to his already huge frame. I am confident that under Rasheed’s guidance, he can be one of the best defensive players in the league as well.

 

[TheLastWordParticipant]

 Embiid’s post game is, at 19, better than Drummond or Jordans ever will be. Let’s make no mistake about that

[TheLastWordParticipant]

 Embiid’s post game is, at 19, better than Drummond or Jordans ever will be. Let’s make no mistake about that

[Author]

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