[OneAndDoneParticipant]

 My interst in this prospect is the weak games he comes up with every once in a while. He has come up small in several games thus far this year and i dont know what to think of it. most mock draft sites have him number one or top 3 yet i worry about his potential. similar to hasheem thabeet he throws up a total dud every once in a while and for a sure fire top prospect in such a loaded draft i dont think that should b the case. maybe he is more catered to the nba game like drummond but i dont think im ready to put him ahead of jabari or julius, who put up great games every time out, just yet. what do you all think?

[omphalosParticipant]

 Have you noticed Jabari has been in a 3 game slump?

He’s nothing like Thabeet. Like Drummond, Embiid has some games where he disappears in college because teams double him immediately to limit his impact and dare the rest of the team to beat them.

[omphalosParticipant]

 Have you noticed Jabari has been in a 3 game slump?

He’s nothing like Thabeet. Like Drummond, Embiid has some games where he disappears in college because teams double him immediately to limit his impact and dare the rest of the team to beat them.

[OneAndDoneParticipant]

 I certainly hadnt noticed that Jabari has been slumping the past three games. that being said i still believe that Jabari dominates games with a supreme basketball IQ and technically superior game than the other prospects that get by on simply insane athleticism.

This is a draft where there are about 5 sure fire stars, lets let what they do in college encourage our thoughts on how they project to the next level.

 

[OneAndDoneParticipant]

 I certainly hadnt noticed that Jabari has been slumping the past three games. that being said i still believe that Jabari dominates games with a supreme basketball IQ and technically superior game than the other prospects that get by on simply insane athleticism.

This is a draft where there are about 5 sure fire stars, lets let what they do in college encourage our thoughts on how they project to the next level.

 

[tbennett76Participant]

 has the footwork.  That is all you need to know to pick him high.

[tbennett76Participant]

 has the footwork.  That is all you need to know to pick him high.

[JoeWolf1]

I have two questions for you.

1. Why are you so concerned with Joel’s poor games? They happen rarely, it had been a month since he had what I’d consider his last sub-par outing as he went for 6 points 7 rebounds and 3 blocks against Florida. He threw up a less than average game on Dec 10th, rattled off averages of 15.3 ppg 9 rpg and 3.25 bpg against 4 NCAA tournment teams and got in foul trouble against Oklahoma Jan 8th vs Oklahoma, and you’re worried about a guy who seems to have a bad game once a month? 

Last night, Joel made some mistakes, didn’t always look strong with the ball, but he still hit 50% of his shots 100% (2-2) from the FT line, and only playing 19 mpg due to foul trouble against a lineup that was extremely small he still managed 6 points and 6 rebounds (adjusted to a 9.5/9.5 pace per 30 min). He wasn’t awful but there’s no extended slump thus far. He is prone to a bad game about once a month and then he bounces back and rattles off 4 or 5 good ones. For a guy so young, I ask you why a bad game every once in a while is so concerning for you?

Wiggins is more prone to a WTF type game than he is, and like someone mentioned, Parker is mid-slump as well, not to mention Smart has had a handfull of poor games this year. Ranlde had 8 points last night, and 3 rebounds the game before. Why are you so worried about Embiid, who has really been a steady producer for the vast majority of his games?

2. Why are you worried about Hasheem Thabeet as a Junior?

Hasheem was slow and lumbering, and it took him three years to gain the athletic ability and he’s still not as quick as fast as Joel is now. Joel is coordianted and throws down between the legs dunks

When Hasheem was a freshman ( Joel’s age ) he had fewer double digit scoring games during his entire first NCAA season than Joel has put up 14 games in to his? Hasheem played 31 games as a frosh, and had two double doubles, Joel has 3 in 14 games…get where I’m going here? They played about the same MPG as freshman too, with Thabeet having the slight edge, yet Joel is far more consistant and put up far better numbers, aside from shot blocking, which was always Hasheem’s bread and butter. Tall and from Africa is a lazy reason for concern IMO.

Joel is not the perfect player right now, but he’s an amazing prospect and a very steady performer for someone so young. I could understand, I’m worried about his decision making right now, or he needs to improve his strength, but I can’t accept, I’m really worried that once a month he has a bad game, and I’m worried about Hasheem Thabeet as valid reasons to be low on him.

[JoeWolf1]

I have two questions for you.

1. Why are you so concerned with Joel’s poor games? They happen rarely, it had been a month since he had what I’d consider his last sub-par outing as he went for 6 points 7 rebounds and 3 blocks against Florida. He threw up a less than average game on Dec 10th, rattled off averages of 15.3 ppg 9 rpg and 3.25 bpg against 4 NCAA tournment teams and got in foul trouble against Oklahoma Jan 8th vs Oklahoma, and you’re worried about a guy who seems to have a bad game once a month? 

Last night, Joel made some mistakes, didn’t always look strong with the ball, but he still hit 50% of his shots 100% (2-2) from the FT line, and only playing 19 mpg due to foul trouble against a lineup that was extremely small he still managed 6 points and 6 rebounds (adjusted to a 9.5/9.5 pace per 30 min). He wasn’t awful but there’s no extended slump thus far. He is prone to a bad game about once a month and then he bounces back and rattles off 4 or 5 good ones. For a guy so young, I ask you why a bad game every once in a while is so concerning for you?

Wiggins is more prone to a WTF type game than he is, and like someone mentioned, Parker is mid-slump as well, not to mention Smart has had a handfull of poor games this year. Ranlde had 8 points last night, and 3 rebounds the game before. Why are you so worried about Embiid, who has really been a steady producer for the vast majority of his games?

2. Why are you worried about Hasheem Thabeet as a Junior?

Hasheem was slow and lumbering, and it took him three years to gain the athletic ability and he’s still not as quick as fast as Joel is now. Joel is coordianted and throws down between the legs dunks

When Hasheem was a freshman ( Joel’s age ) he had fewer double digit scoring games during his entire first NCAA season than Joel has put up 14 games in to his? Hasheem played 31 games as a frosh, and had two double doubles, Joel has 3 in 14 games…get where I’m going here? They played about the same MPG as freshman too, with Thabeet having the slight edge, yet Joel is far more consistant and put up far better numbers, aside from shot blocking, which was always Hasheem’s bread and butter. Tall and from Africa is a lazy reason for concern IMO.

Joel is not the perfect player right now, but he’s an amazing prospect and a very steady performer for someone so young. I could understand, I’m worried about his decision making right now, or he needs to improve his strength, but I can’t accept, I’m really worried that once a month he has a bad game, and I’m worried about Hasheem Thabeet as valid reasons to be low on him.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

As a fan of the Grizzlies I remember how excited I was when I saw that we would be getting the 2nd pick. But also extremely sad because of 2 reasons, we weren’t gonna get Blake Griffin who was pretty much the only sure thing in the draft that year and that Michael Heisley was in LOVE with Hasheem Thabeet. I think I can speak for damn near every Memphis Grizzlies fan or damn near ever NBA fan period that everyone knew he was gonna be a bust. But, I didn’t expect the EPIC SUCK of him to be that bad.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

As a fan of the Grizzlies I remember how excited I was when I saw that we would be getting the 2nd pick. But also extremely sad because of 2 reasons, we weren’t gonna get Blake Griffin who was pretty much the only sure thing in the draft that year and that Michael Heisley was in LOVE with Hasheem Thabeet. I think I can speak for damn near every Memphis Grizzlies fan or damn near ever NBA fan period that everyone knew he was gonna be a bust. But, I didn’t expect the EPIC SUCK of him to be that bad.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

You are among the people that dont believe Embiid is a top prospect becuz he doesnt post impressive stats like Greg Oden did as a freshman….But not only does he has the footwork and post moves..He has incredible timing,doesnt have alot of bad habits and he has a great understanding of how to play the game ,considering the fact he hasnt been playing that long….Once he gains more experience and puts it all 2gether watch out!!

Those comparisions to Thabeet are way off..I believe Memphis selected Thabeet that high becuz at the time,Samuel Dalembert was averaging close to a double double along with 2 blks a game for the 76’ers…And they thought Thabeet could become a similar type player……

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

You are among the people that dont believe Embiid is a top prospect becuz he doesnt post impressive stats like Greg Oden did as a freshman….But not only does he has the footwork and post moves..He has incredible timing,doesnt have alot of bad habits and he has a great understanding of how to play the game ,considering the fact he hasnt been playing that long….Once he gains more experience and puts it all 2gether watch out!!

Those comparisions to Thabeet are way off..I believe Memphis selected Thabeet that high becuz at the time,Samuel Dalembert was averaging close to a double double along with 2 blks a game for the 76’ers…And they thought Thabeet could become a similar type player……

[Big_C_KUParticipant]

Embiid had 6 points and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes because of foul trouble. He was 2-4 from field and 2-2 from the foul line. Embiid is starting to be doubled every time he touches the ball so scoring is going to be a little tougher for him. For the most part he’s handling the double teams well passing out of it and occasionally making a quick move before it arrives. Embiid also was playing wearing goggles for the first time ever last night after being hit in the eye in practice earlier that day. That may explain some of reluctancy at times against OU. 

First "bad game" in a month is actually fairly impressive. Have to remember that unlike Parker and Wiggins, Embiid has to rely on his teammates getting him the ball when he’s im good position.

Sounds like you’re reaching man.

[Big_C_KUParticipant]

Embiid had 6 points and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes because of foul trouble. He was 2-4 from field and 2-2 from the foul line. Embiid is starting to be doubled every time he touches the ball so scoring is going to be a little tougher for him. For the most part he’s handling the double teams well passing out of it and occasionally making a quick move before it arrives. Embiid also was playing wearing goggles for the first time ever last night after being hit in the eye in practice earlier that day. That may explain some of reluctancy at times against OU. 

First "bad game" in a month is actually fairly impressive. Have to remember that unlike Parker and Wiggins, Embiid has to rely on his teammates getting him the ball when he’s im good position.

Sounds like you’re reaching man.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Wiggins shot 2-9.  He gets a pass though, I guess. lol

I would go with Embiid if my team didn’t have an all-star center already.  Great upside, with a high floor as an athletic big.

I am not exactly ready to put Parker and Wiggins into the Hall of Fame at this moment. 

Would you rather have an all-star center or an all-star wing?  Some guys would take a guy who might be an all-star center down the road as opposed to going with a high scoring wing player.

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Wiggins shot 2-9.  He gets a pass though, I guess. lol

I would go with Embiid if my team didn’t have an all-star center already.  Great upside, with a high floor as an athletic big.

I am not exactly ready to put Parker and Wiggins into the Hall of Fame at this moment. 

Would you rather have an all-star center or an all-star wing?  Some guys would take a guy who might be an all-star center down the road as opposed to going with a high scoring wing player.

 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

Not saying that Embiid is gonna be a bust but I understand the OP’s reason for being a bit skeptical when it comes to him. He is a player that came from Africa who’s very athletic and extremely tall who started playin basketball a few years ago. Outside of Dikembe Mutombo, Serge Ibaka and Hakeem Olajuwon I can’t think of too many big men who fit that same profile that actually panned out. For any RAW big man it’s a huge risk to take for any GM because unfortunately big men that are drafted at a young age out of college aren’t expected to produce right away the majority of the time and are thought of as projects. If they don’t pan out they for some reason seem like a much bigger failure than a wing player who didn’t pan out. Then you have the more attractive draft picks in guys that are wing players and tend to be NBA ready and contribute right away. If a GM passes on one of those guys for a big man who had a huge amount of potential but didn’t pan out he could get fired. But if they do pan out and become great you have a guy that is probably gonna eventually become a cornerstone a championship team one day. 

The good thing that I see in Joel Embiid that separates him from other big men in the past is that while he has great defensive tools and is already pretty good in that department his offensive potential is off of the charts. One thing that he has that guys like Thabeet, and Saer Sene didn’t have is a natural feel for the game. Even though he’s only been playing for 4 years it seems like he’s been playing his whole life. Also his footwork in the post is great and he has a soft touch around the basket (biggest sign of whether or not a big man will develop at all offensively).  

[Memphisboy14Participant]

Not saying that Embiid is gonna be a bust but I understand the OP’s reason for being a bit skeptical when it comes to him. He is a player that came from Africa who’s very athletic and extremely tall who started playin basketball a few years ago. Outside of Dikembe Mutombo, Serge Ibaka and Hakeem Olajuwon I can’t think of too many big men who fit that same profile that actually panned out. For any RAW big man it’s a huge risk to take for any GM because unfortunately big men that are drafted at a young age out of college aren’t expected to produce right away the majority of the time and are thought of as projects. If they don’t pan out they for some reason seem like a much bigger failure than a wing player who didn’t pan out. Then you have the more attractive draft picks in guys that are wing players and tend to be NBA ready and contribute right away. If a GM passes on one of those guys for a big man who had a huge amount of potential but didn’t pan out he could get fired. But if they do pan out and become great you have a guy that is probably gonna eventually become a cornerstone a championship team one day. 

The good thing that I see in Joel Embiid that separates him from other big men in the past is that while he has great defensive tools and is already pretty good in that department his offensive potential is off of the charts. One thing that he has that guys like Thabeet, and Saer Sene didn’t have is a natural feel for the game. Even though he’s only been playing for 4 years it seems like he’s been playing his whole life. Also his footwork in the post is great and he has a soft touch around the basket (biggest sign of whether or not a big man will develop at all offensively).  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

He kind of looks like Ralph Sampson too (looking at YouTube clips). 

He might be too good to pass up.  I think A LOT of this draft will come down to post season play.  We basically know who the top guys are.  We’re just waiting for it to all shake out.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

He kind of looks like Ralph Sampson too (looking at YouTube clips). 

He might be too good to pass up.  I think A LOT of this draft will come down to post season play.  We basically know who the top guys are.  We’re just waiting for it to all shake out.

[Jdean24Participant]

 Joel is the fastest developing player I’ve ever seen at Kansas or anywhere. Great footwork an a very solid low post game. Starting too hit the mid range jumper and even hit a three against Kansas State today. I believe he will be the best player too come out of this draft. An Randle has no business be drafted in the top 5. Wiggins, Smart, Parker, Exum, even Gordon will all be better then another player will no natural position in the league. 

[Jdean24Participant]

 Joel is the fastest developing player I’ve ever seen at Kansas or anywhere. Great footwork an a very solid low post game. Starting too hit the mid range jumper and even hit a three against Kansas State today. I believe he will be the best player too come out of this draft. An Randle has no business be drafted in the top 5. Wiggins, Smart, Parker, Exum, even Gordon will all be better then another player will no natural position in the league. 

[Ghost01Participant]

 All of this draft and career prognosticating is so damn funny. No one has any idea how this draft class is going to turn out. A few things I’ve noticed…

1. As excited as I am for the draft, this class was overrated. All of these guys have flaws, none of these guys are tearing it up every night like Durant did or anything, and the fact that Embiid has had the medioritic rise that he has is proof of that. 

2. Embiid could be one of the best big men in the league. He also could be Hasheem Thabeet. There is nothing wrong with thinking a guy will be a bust, just like their is nothing wrong with thinking a guy will be a star. 

3. The only defense I have for Parker’s slump is this: At least it is due to cold shooting. Its not lack of exertion, its not lack of effort or shying away from the ball. His shots just aren’t falling. And he, like these other guys shouldn’t be lamented for a few games there they aren’t good. What I think bothers people about Wiggins and Embiid is that when they are having bad games, they kinda just become invisible out there and you forget about them. I do believe this is actually a bigger issue with Wiggins, but again, who cares, and who knows what will happen. Any of these guys could be the next big thing, or they could be the next big bust. 

 

 

 

 

[Ghost01Participant]

 All of this draft and career prognosticating is so damn funny. No one has any idea how this draft class is going to turn out. A few things I’ve noticed…

1. As excited as I am for the draft, this class was overrated. All of these guys have flaws, none of these guys are tearing it up every night like Durant did or anything, and the fact that Embiid has had the medioritic rise that he has is proof of that. 

2. Embiid could be one of the best big men in the league. He also could be Hasheem Thabeet. There is nothing wrong with thinking a guy will be a bust, just like their is nothing wrong with thinking a guy will be a star. 

3. The only defense I have for Parker’s slump is this: At least it is due to cold shooting. Its not lack of exertion, its not lack of effort or shying away from the ball. His shots just aren’t falling. And he, like these other guys shouldn’t be lamented for a few games there they aren’t good. What I think bothers people about Wiggins and Embiid is that when they are having bad games, they kinda just become invisible out there and you forget about them. I do believe this is actually a bigger issue with Wiggins, but again, who cares, and who knows what will happen. Any of these guys could be the next big thing, or they could be the next big bust. 

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 A lot as always will come down to team needs but Embiid is looking much better than I thought he would this early into his college career. I can see a lot of GM’s having a long chat with Coach Self about the merits of Wiggins and Embiid. I wonder if Bill Self would say which he thinks will be a better NBA player or keep his views firmly under his rumoured toupee.

[HitsterParticipant]

 A lot as always will come down to team needs but Embiid is looking much better than I thought he would this early into his college career. I can see a lot of GM’s having a long chat with Coach Self about the merits of Wiggins and Embiid. I wonder if Bill Self would say which he thinks will be a better NBA player or keep his views firmly under his rumoured toupee.

[Author]

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